Nut butters are traditionally used all over the world during breakfasts. These butter are made with fresh nuts and are used to spread on bread and biscuits. Almond butter is one of the most preferred nut butter for its amazing health benefits. It is not only delicious but also rich in nutrition for a good start to your busy day. Almond butter is made from sweet edible almonds. It is one of the best sources of monosaturated fatty acids, Vitamin E, magnesium and flavonoids. In this article, we shall discuss the Natural almond butter benefits and side effects and almond butter recipe.
What Is Almond Butter?
Almond butter is a paste made out of sweet edible almonds. The butter may or may not have a very smooth consistency. It is usually kept crunchy and coarse, but you also get smooth almond butter for a better spread. Almond butter can be made from both raw or roasted almonds, which can result in a variation in taste and flavour.
While almond butter is a continental variation of almonds, it is used in Indian cooking as well, especially while making sweets and desserts.
In local Indian languages, it is known as Badam Venna (Telugu), Patamvenney (Tamil), Badamibenne (Kannada), Badamvenna (Malayalam), Badamabatara (Marathi) and Badamademakhana (Punjabi).
Types Of Almond Butter:
- Almond butter comes in two variations – Stir and Non-stir.
- Stir versions of butter are quite smooth and are prone to oil separation.
- Non-stir versions are emulsified butter, which is usually mixed with agents like chocolate, flaxseed, hemp etc.,
- Pure Almond butter is available in sweet and salt variations.
- You can also find unsalted and unsweetened varieties to suit your taste.
Is Almond Butter Healthy?
Almond butter is a rich source of vitamins, minerals and monosaturated fatty acids. It has high amounts of Vitamin E to promote good skin, hair and a healthy body. Almond butter also supplies the essential fats required for the body. Almond butter contains healthy doses of biotin, potassium, zinc and magnesium. The butter is also a rich source of calcium to promote good and strong bone health. Also, Almond butter is a weight gain food for people with underweight issues.
Nutritional Benefits of Almond Butter:
Below is the nutrition breakup of Almond butter for 1 tbsp of serving:
- Total Calories: 98
- Total Fat: 8.9 gm
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 gm
- Monosaturated Fat: 5.2 gm
- Potassium: 120mg
- Carbohydrates: 3gm
- Dietary Fiber: 1.6gm
- Proteins: 3.4gm
- Calcium: 4.3% of DV
- Iron: 3.1% of DV
Read: Advantages of Cocoa Butter
Amazing Almond Butter Benefits for Skin, Hair and Health:
Almond butter is very healthy compared to peanut butter. It contains healthy elements such as Magnesium, Vitamin E, Iron, etc. Being an ideal source of protein, almond butter has a massive role in repairing and regenerating tissues. Athletes and physique enthusiasts consider almond butter as one of the main sources of protein.
Almond Butter Health Benefits:
Here we enlisted the top 4 Almond Butter Health Benefits. Let’s look into them.
1. Almond Butter Helps Lower Cholesterol:
Almond butter is a rich source of mono-saturated fatty acids. These are healthy fats required by the body to provide energy. It is also enriched with anti-oxidants that lowers cholesterol levels in the body to reduce cardiovascular diseases. Almond butter also helps in reducing triglyceride levels in the body.
How To Use:
- Use 1-2 tbsp of Almond butter per day with whole wheat bread.
2. Almond Butter Benefits Diabetes:
Studies show that incorporating Almond butter into the daily diet can help in reducing the symptoms of Diabetes. Almonds are proven to improve insulin response in the body. This results in lowered blood sugar levels. Almond butter also contains high levels of magnesium which reduces the chances of falling prey to Diabetes.
How To Use:
- Use 1-2 tbsp of almond butter in your diet.
3. Almond Butter is Good For Weight Loss:
Almond butter is often suggested by nutritionists to help their patients lose weight. Consuming almond butter along with fruits and vegetables helps in increasing protein levels in the body and also adds a good amount of fibre. Almond butter made with raw almonds can help fight obesity in people and aid in weight loss.
How To Use:
- Use one serving of raw almond butter along with your regular diet.
4. Almond Butter Prevents Heart Disease:
Almond butter is rich in monosaturated fatty acids which are healthy fats. These fats are crucial for generating energy in the body. Being rich in antioxidants, almonds also offer cardiovascular benefits. It lowers blood pressure due to the high mineral content and decreases the chances of heart disease.
How To Use:
- No more than 1-2 tbsp of almond butter in your diet.
Benefits of Almond Butter For Skin:
Here we enlisted the top 3 Almond Butter Benefits for the skin. Let’s look into them.
5. Treats Dark Circles:
Almond butter is enriched with Vitamin E, which is a skin-lightening agent. The oil in the butter penetrates deep into the skin and works on the pigmented cells. With regular usage, you observe a noticeable change in the colour around your eyes. It is best to use pure homemade almond butter for the eyes.
How To Prepare and Use:
- Whip a few raw almonds in a blender until smooth.
- Apply the butter around the eyes, avoiding the inner area.
- Leave on for 20 minutes and wash off.
- Use daily.
6. Fight Against Fine Lines and Wrinkles:
Almond butter is an excellent remedy to treat signs of ageing like wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots. The Vitamin E in almonds help in promoting Collagen which is responsible for the elasticity of the skin. It also helps in lightening dark spots and blemishes caused due to ageing.
How To Prepare and Use:
- Make fresh almond butter using raw almonds.
- Add a few drops of olive oil or coconut oil.
- Apply the paste to the skin and leave for 20 minutes.
- Wash with water.
- Use twice a week.
7. Good For Skin Cleansing:
Almond butter has the potency to offer deep pore cleansing. It opens up the pores and flushes out excess sebum and debris. This cleansing mechanism can also help reduce acne and breakouts caused due to clogged pores. If you have very oily skin, it is best to stay away from almond butter.
How To Prepare and Use:
- Make fresh almond butter and apply it to the skin.
- Now with a wet cotton ball, cleanse your skin using gentle swipes.
- You can notice debris on the cotton.
- Wash off with warm water to avoid greasiness.
Read: Benefits of Peanut Butter for Weight Gain
Almond Butter Benefits For Hair:
Here we enlisted the top 2 Almond Butter Benefits for hair. Let’s look into them.
8. Almond Butter Uses for Hair Growth:
Almonds are known to stimulate hair growth. Almond butter when applied on the scalp and massaged, can penetrate into the hair follicles to strengthen them. It also reduces and prevents the chances of hair fall due to breakage and infections. You will also notice that your hair has turned shiny and glossy.
How To Prepare and Use:
- Prepare fresh almond butter using raw almonds.
- Apply it to your hair by taking sections.
- Leave the mask for 15-20 minutes after shampooing.
- Wash off with water.
9. Cure Dandruff:
Almond butter is known to use the power of almonds for treating scalp infections like dandruff. Almonds have anti-fungal properties, which can fight yeast multiplication and reduce flakiness. If you are suffering from an itchy scalp, almond butter can be quite effective.
How To Prepare and Use:
- Prepare fresh almond butter using raw almonds.
- Add a few drops of lime juice and apply the mask to the scalp.
- Leave for 15 minutes and wash off with shampoo.
How To Make Almond Butter At Home:
Do you like almond butter? You better do as it is one of the most healthy and affordable food substances ever. The following points will help you in making mouth-watering almond butter. This is the most simple and comfortable and should not take more than 30 minutes. Now that we have arranged all the ingredients required, let’s begin!
Almond Butter Ingredients:
- 2 Cups Edible Sweet Almond.
- 1 tbsp Coconut Oil.
Process:
Step 1 – Heating The Almonds:
- Firstly take two cups of almonds and warm them first.
- This will make the process of making almond butter a lot easier and it will save time as well.
- Heat the almonds for not more than 10 minutes.
- They are warm enough by now and are ready to be processed.
- This process will allow the almonds to propagate the oils stored inside while processing.
Step 2 – Processing The Butter:
- Secondly, put the heated almonds in your food processor.
- The food processor should contain an S-shaped blade. If the processor is large enough you can take more than 3 cups of almonds, as discussed earlier.
- Taking more than 3 cups will delay the process and have a serious impact on the final product.
- Close the processor’s bowl and start it.
- The process of making almond butter will not take more than 30 minutes.
- The almond at the bottom will gather around the edges so you will have to brush down the sides several times.
- If you’re using a big food process then you will see a drastic change in the processor by now.
- The oils have been extracted from the almond, which has assisted to form a mass structure inside the bowl.
- After 20-25 minutes, you will get a clear view of the processed almond butter within the processor.
- The butter will become smooth and look like a warm paste.
- You’ve done it.
- The almond butter is ready.
Step 3 – Storing:
- Almond butter must be stored in a glass container at room temperature.
How Much Almond Butter Per Day?
It is recommended to consume Almond butter in limited quantities to maximize the health benefits. It is suggested to take a serving of no more than 3-4 tbsp of almond butter per day. People suffering from obesity issues can consume no more than 1-2 tbsp of almond butter per day. Overeating almond butter can increase fatty acids and minerals like magnesium and potassium, which can be potentially harmful to the body.
How To Use Almond Butter?
Almond butter can be used in many ways to impart deliciousness to your food. Some of the popular ways to use this amazing nut butter are:
- It can be used as a spread on bread to make your breakfast tasty and healthy.
- Almond butter can be used in smoothies to thicken and add a subtle sweetness.
- It can replace traditional dairy products for vegans.
- Almond butter can be used in hummus, instead of Tahini.
- By adding vinaigrette to almond butter, you can make a delicious and healthy salad dressing.
- Add almond butter to your cookie dough to impart a nutty flavour.
Read: Uses of Shea Butter
Almond Butter Side Effects:
Although almond butter is tasty and healthy, overindulging can lead to many health risks. Some of the known side effects of consuming too much almond butter are:
- Excess minerals piled up in the body, which can lead to digestion and gastrointestinal issues.
- You may experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
- People with almond butter allergies may experience rashes and hives.
- Almond butter, when overused on skin and hair, can lead to greasy skin and excess oil buildup, which can lead to acne and breakouts.
Almond Butter Vs Peanut Butter:
Almond butter and peanut butter are the most popular nut butter. Although they have similar nutritional value, Almond butter is considered to be slightly healthy when compared to Peanut butter. Almond butter consists of lesser calories and less protein than peanut butter but has high amounts of vitamins, minerals and fibre. The fatty acids in almonds contribute to healthy fat in the body than the fat in peanut butter. Almond butter contains three times more Vitamin E and twice the iron levels compared to peanut butter. In most aspects, almond butter is the forerunner among nut butter.
We hope this article helped you understand some of the best benefits of Almond butter. The cosmetic Almond butter benefits are lesser-known compared to its nutritional benefits. A small amount of almond butter can deal with several beauty and health issues. Also, it is proven that people who consume pure organic almond butter in the recommended servings showed a reduction in heart diseases by about 35%. Such is the power of the “King of Nuts”. So, time for you to stop buying calorie-filled almond butter available in the market and instead go for homemade versions which guarantee purity and flavour!
Let us know if you still have any doubts or concerns about the various Benefits of Almond Butter. We would love to assist you with the best solutions and answers.
