Soak or Sprout Almonds and Other Nuts to Unlock Hidden Benefits

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Almonds are a filling and healthy snack, packed with real protein, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and fiber. Many raw food enthusiasts will tell others how essential almonds are in a balanced diet, but it’s usually a little more difficult to get them to go into detail as to why soaking almonds can unlock even more health benefits, by making them easier to digest. In fact soaking all tree nuts, especially almonds — since technically they are not a tree nut, but a seed — can benefit you greatly by increasing the nutrients and vitamins that your body absorbs from the food, creating an efficient process to unlock hidden treasures inside this healthy seed.

The natural agents within the nuts and seeds that protect them from early germination can wreak havoc in our digestive system. Soaking and sprouting nuts and seeds replicates germination, which neutralizes enzyme inhibitors, activates and multiplies nutrients (particularly Vitamins A, B, and C), and promotes the growth of vital digestive enzymes.

A lot of consumers want raw organic nuts and seeds. The USDA pasteurization laws require nut growers and processors to pasteurize them by using a steam-heating process. If you want raw organic almonds, you can still buy unpasteurized almonds directly from the grower in person, and there are still online outlets that sell the real deal like SunFood and LiveSuperfoods.

Digestion

Raw almonds contain tannic acid, as well as an enzyme inhibitor within their brown skin which protects the nut until the proper levels of moisture and sunlight allow it to germinate. Since the nut doesn’t release it’s enzymes until the ideal conditions have been reached, eating almonds before removing this inhibitor limits the nutrients and vitamins that your body is able to absorb and makes the almond significantly more difficult to digest. When you soak almonds, you provide the moisture that makes the almond shed its skin and release its enzymes. This process works with most nuts and seeds.

Texture

Soaking also modifies the texture of the nut and makes it easier to chew. As almonds absorb water, they will become softer and less stiff. This is especially beneficial to young children and seniors who should avoid foods that are harder and more difficult to chew. Softer almonds are much easier to digest, which increases the amount of nutrients your body can absorb from the nut. If you use almonds in recipes like in raw pies, meat or cookies, soaking the almonds also provides a way of keeping the integrity of your raw creations.

Soaking

To soak almonds, put your raw almonds in a glass or BPA-free bowl, and add some purified water. Buy raw organic almonds if possible. After you put the almonds in a large bowl, cover them with 2 cups of warm water and 1/2 tsp of Himalayan salt, for every 1/2 cup of almonds used. Cover with a light cloth and soak the almonds overnight (8-12 hours). Rinse, drain and store them in the refrigerator using a form of bpa-free or glass storage. Almonds will stay fresh for up to about 3 days after soaking before sprouting when the proper storage is used.

Sprouting

The benefits can be unlocked even further by taking soaking to the next level and actually sprouting your nuts. Sprouted almonds are even softer, more moist, and sweeter in addition to being even easier to digest. Sprouting almonds is also the only way to release lipase, which is an enzyme that digests fat. Almonds are a great sources of monounsaturated fatty acids. These heart-healthy fats are very satisfying, which results in a feeling of fullness and thus prevents individuals from overeating.

To sprout almonds, soak them overnight for 8 to 12 hours, rinse, and place them in glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator. It generally takes about three days for the almonds to sprout and you can expect a 1/8-inch sprout to grow. Keep in mind that if pasteurized, Almonds will not sprout. True raw organic almonds will develop sprouts in about 3 days.

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Sources:

Vegetariantimes.com

Sunfood.com

LiveSuperfoods.com

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