Nuts contain fibre, unsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols that may impact the composition of the gut microbiota and overall gut health.(1) A moderate intake of almonds improves diet quality in adults and their young children and modulates microbiota composition. (4)
Almonds are nutritional powerhouses high in antioxidant vitamin E, fiber, and monounsaturated fats. They're also an excellent source of biotin, manganese, magnesium, tryptophan, copper, vitamin B2, and phosphorus. Sprouting almonds is essential for bioavailability of these nutrients. Most nuts and seeds contain Phytic acid, a known food inhibitor which chelates micronutrients and prevents them from being bioavailable for monogastric animals, including humans, due to the fact that these species lack the enzyme phytase in their digestive tract making them hard to digest. Through the process of soaking, sprouting and fermenting, phytic acid levels are greatly reduced, unlocking the nutritional potential and full expression of enzymes, which enhance the digestion and absorption processes required for upregulation of nutrients.
Fun fact The Romans referred to almonds as the "Greek nut" in reference to the civilization suggested to have first cultivated them!
1. Almond Consumption and Processing Affects the Composition of the Gastrointestinal Microbiota of Healthy Adult Men and Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
2. Nuts and their Effect on Gut Microbiota, Gut Function and Symptoms in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
3. Food processing and structure impact the metabolizable energy of almonds
4. Diet quality improves for parents and children when almonds are incorporated into their daily diet: a randomized, crossover study
