13 Promising Benefits Of Soaked Almonds For Skin, Hair, And Health

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 13 Promising Benefits Of Soaked Almonds For Skin, Hair, And Health


The benefits of soaked almonds are worth considering over raw almonds. Almonds (Prunus dulcis) are packed with nutrition, vitamins, mineral, antioxidants and have many health benefits.

You can consume raw and roasted almonds. However, most people prefer consuming soaked almonds over any other form. The health benefits of soaked almonds are numerous. They may help reduce cancer risk and improve digestion.

This article discusses the benefits of soaking almonds over raw ones, how they can benefit your health, hair, and skin, and the best way to store them.


1. Improve Digestive Health

Soaked almonds can make your food digestion smoother and faster by facilitating the entire digestive procedure. The external layer of the almond, which has a hard texture, makes it difficult to digest (1). However, soaking activates the nutrients in the almonds, makes them more digestible, and reduces their anti-nutrient levels (2). Soaked almonds also release lipase (a lipid-breaking enzyme) that works on the fat present in the food and aids digestion (3).

2. Aid Weight Loss

Regular consumption of soaked and peeled almonds in the morning as part of a low-calorie diet has several benefits such as a decrease in bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and weight loss (6), (7). Moreover, it is associated with reduction in waist circumference, fat mass, and water weight (7).


Eating nuts at moderate levels is also associated with energy expenditure in the body, which leads to weight loss (8).

3. May Do Good During Pregnancy

Almonds are a rich source of folate (9). Folate supplementation aids labor and prevents neural tube and congenital heart defects in the baby (10). Soaking the almonds increases the bioavailability of this nutrient.

4. May Improve Brain Function

Almonds are said to possess L-carnitine, though there is no scientific evidence to prove the same. L-carnitine may help in the production and growth of new brain cells (11).



Almonds also contain phenylalanine, which can improve cognitive function and memory(9),(12).


These nuts are rich in vitamins E and B6, which are known to preserve memory, retard the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease, and enhance the bioavailability of proteins to brain cells (13), (14).


Almonds also contain omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids (9). Research says that these fatty acids may help in boosting brain development (15). A study conducted on rats found that almonds enhance the acetylcholine levels in the brain. This could enhance memory and delay the onset of age-associated cognitive dysfunction (16).



However, more research is required to study the effect of soaked almonds on brain function.


5. May Promote Heart Health

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Almonds are good sources of plant protein, potassium, and magnesium. These nutrients are great for preventing cardiovascular diseases (6).


Soaked almonds also contain polyphenols and antioxidants that may prevent heart diseases (17), (18).



However, more research is required  to establish a direct relationship between eating  soaked almonds and preventing heart disease.


6. May Reduce Cholesterol Levels

Soaked almonds are loaded with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), which lower the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol in your bloodstream (6).


The vitamin E content of these nuts may help in fighting against LDL and raising the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol in the body (9), (19).The minerals such as potassium and magnesium may help in regulating blood pressure levels (20).




7. May Boost Energy

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Consumption of soaked almonds may help in enhancing your metabolism, thereby boosting energy levels. Almonds contain riboflavin and potassium that help in increasing energy metabolism (21), (22).


Related: How To Increase Stamina Naturally Through Food


8. May Improve Blood Pressure Levels

The low sodium and high potassium content of almonds may help prevent your blood pressure from escalating (9), (23).



High blood pressure is one of the top reasons for stroke, heart attacks, and cardiac arrests. The magnesium in almonds may help lower the risk of artery congestion (24).


Related: 15 Herbs For Diabetes That Keep Your Sugar Levels In Control

9. May Treat Diabetics

Soaked almonds help keep your blood sugar level under control.A study conducted on 20 Chinese people with type-2 diabetes showed that consumption of almonds increases the lipid profile and improves glycemic control(25).




10. May Treat Constipation

The insoluble fiber in soaked almonds may help in treating constipation. It regulates the bowel movements in the intestine, thereby reducing the symptoms of constipation (26).


11. May Fight Cancer

Almonds are said to contain phytic acid, which has been shown to exhibit antioxidant properties that may help prevent cancer (27). They are also rich in tannins (especially  proanthocyanidins) that haveanticancer properties (28).



12. Benefits Of Soaked Almonds For Skin


The regular consumption and proper external application of soaked almonds may be good for your skin, though there is insufficient data available to prove this claim. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that soaked almonds may help promote skin health. Given below are some of their benefits:


Aging can be prevented with soaked almonds. The vitamin E and other antioxidants present in these nuts can eliminate the harmful free radicals from your body (9), (29). As a result, the aging process gets delayed and your skin looks younger for longer.     

Soaked almond paste may help treat skin inflammation. The polyphenols found in the almond skin reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases (30). This could provide relief from the itching and irritation of rashes or chapped skin.


13. Benefits Of Soaked Almonds For Hair

Research on the benefits of almonds for hair is limited. However, listed below are the purported benefits of almonds for hair care:


Soak a few almonds in water overnight, mash them the next morning and finally, prepare a hair mask by mixing a fair amount of olive oil with it. It may act as a natural conditioner. However, more research is required to prove this point. But, anecdotal evidence shows that soaked almonds paste may help improve hair health.

Eating soaked almonds or using its paste on the scalp is said to nourish your hair and make it stronger. It is also claimed to repair severe hair damage, reduce frequent hair fall, and help in the growth of new hair follicles.

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