The humble almond is considered to be one of the superfoods because it is rich in many important and vital nutrients that are necessary for us to be healthy. Some important nutrients it provides are both insoluble and soluble fiber, omega 3-and 6-fatty acids, vitamin E, calcium etc. However, how we prepare these nuts before we consume them are important to access all the healthy goodness. Nutritionists recommend that soaking almonds overnight in water is the best way to maximize the available nutrients.

Benefits of Almonds Soaked in Water

1. Easy Digestion

Water, if the almonds are soaked in it for a long period of time, releases an enzyme contained in the outer layer of the almond. This enzyme serves to make the almond easily digestible and the nutrients are then easily released and absorbed by the body. Almonds contain both soluble and insoluble fiber which is important in regulating your bowel movements.

2. Prenatal Health

The almonds, when soaked in water, also have a higher level of folic acid available for absorption. This vitamin is very important in a developing fetus to prevent certain abnormalities.

3. Lowering Cholesterol Levels

Almonds are very rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and vitamin E. Both these elements are essential in lowering bad cholesterol or Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) in the blood. When the almonds are soaked in water, they release the vitamin E and MUFA which can be used by the body's various systems.

4. Cardiac Health

In addition to lowering bad cholesterol, soaked almonds also release nutrients like potassium and magnesium which are essential to a healthy cardiovascular system. The vitamin E acts like an antioxidant which prevents several heart diseases that result due to damage and stress attributed to oxidation in the body. The high potassium and low sodium levels serve to prevent an increase in blood pressure.

5. Brain Tonic

Energizing your brain is one of the benefits of almonds soaked in water. A soaked almond releases the essential fats it contains far more easily. These essential fatty acids play a big role in cognitive function, like memory. Experts believe that eating between 4-6 soaked almonds daily energize your brain. 

6. Controlling Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetes mellitus can be treated with almonds soaked in water because they regulate blood glucose levels.

7. Weight Loss 

The high levels of MUFA enable your stomach to feel fuller for a longer time thus preventing overeating and subsequent weight gain.

8. Healthy Skin

All the nutrients contained in almonds, promote production of new skin cells and improve the texture of skin. The vitamin E, in particular, prevents premature skin aging by acting as an antioxidant and mopping up any free radicals that will cause skin damage.

9. Hair Health

Healthy, lustrous hair can be achieved by regular ingestion of soaked almonds. Almonds are rich in proteins that are necessary for hair strength, development of new hair follicles and to prevent hair loss.

How to Use Soaked Almonds to Relieve Health Problems

Rinse out the required number of almonds in some water. Place into a bowl and add water- enough to completely submerge all the almonds. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and keep at room temperature for about 8 hours. Drain the nuts, peel and rinse properly before you eat them. Then you can make use of the benefits of almonds soaked in water to solve your specific problems. 

• Treating anaemia: mash about 8-10 soaked almonds into paste. Consume this daily for about three months to get your iron levels back up again.
• Ease anxiety: mix 8-10 ground soaked almonds with 5 ml of nutmeg and some dried ginger powder. Add these dry ingredients to a cup of warmed milk and consume.
• Increased sexual performance: mix about 8-10 almonds to the same quantity of black peppercorns and grind. The resulting paste can be mixed with a glass of milk.
• Treating hypo-menorrhoea: 1 almond and 1 date should be soaked overnight. After peeling the almond, make a paste of both the date and almond. Eat this paste with some butter for about 3 months.
• Improving memory: for about 2 months, eat 10 soaked almonds with 10mls of butter to sharpen your memory.
• Healing chickenpox: 5 almonds ground up and mixed with water will promote the healing of the skin rash that accompanies the chickenpox virus.
• Cough relief: 5 almonds mixed with some sugar, consumed twice a day will promote the loosening of mucus, thus providing relief from the cough.
• Improving skin blemishes: make a paste with 5 almonds and mix well with 60 ml of rose water and 15 drops of sandalwood oil. This sweet-smelling mixture can be applied to troublesome skin blemishes three times a day. For resistant spots, leave the application on for a longer period. You can store the mixture in a suitable glass bottle for future use.
• Treating dry skin: whipped cream mixed with almond paste (about 10 ground up almonds) can be applied to dry skin for improved texture and moisture of skin.

A grittier paste of almonds mixed with fresh cream will make an excellent exfoliator to get rid of dead skin cells, leaving the skin glowing.

How Many Soaked Almonds Can You Eat Per Day?

Can the dangers of eating too many almonds outweigh the benefits of almonds soaked in water? In some cases, yes.

• The average healthy person can limit their daily intake of almonds to 1 ounce for sufficient nutrients from almonds.
• For those watching their calorie and fat intake, eating no more than 1.5 ounces should keep you on track in your calorie-limiting diet. The fiber in almonds will keep you feeling fuller but it is also important to remember that almonds are high in fats.
• The high levels of oxalate in almonds makes them unsafe in people with kidney stones or gall bladder disease.
• Some people also exhibit sensitivities to almond protein, causing allergic reactions.