Almond oil emerged as a medicinal oil a few centuries ago.Almonds are native to Iran but are now cultivated extensively by other countries as well. Almonds have a sweet, nutty flavor, which is the reason people consume almond milk.Nowadays, both almond oil and almonds are very popular for being rich sources of nutrients. Many nutritionists advise adding almond oil to your daily diet. Even Ayurveda beauty experts recommend massages using almond oil to help nourish your skin and remove dark circles and spots. Almond oil holds many benefits. The alpha-tocopherol present in almond oil helps combat hair loss and keeps your heart healthy. Polyunsaturated fats help in controlling excess weight and lead to weight loss and good heart health. Apart from other nutrients and antioxidants, vitamin E in almond oil helps in maintaining glow in sensitive skin and healthy skin. Not just that, but the sweet almond oil is used to treat hand dermatitis. Almond oil is like a finishing oil that should be added on top of the foods after they are cooked on high heat.People who have a nut allergy should avoid almond oil. People use unrefined almond oil as a dressing over salads. At the same time, refined almond oil does not have as many nutrients as unrefined oil has. Unrefined Almond oil is made by pressing almonds and retains the majority of these nutrients as well as the oil’s unique flavor. Unrefined almond oil is converted to refined almond oil by heating and chemically processing it. Although this oil is more heat resistant, it contains fewer nutrients. Almonds are also considered a good snack if you are trying to reach a healthy weight. It is good to have one teaspoon of sweet almond oil once a day to boost digestion.Almond Oil Extraction ProcessAlmond oil can be extracted from both sweet and bitter almond cultivars. The oil is usually extracted by cold pressing, but sweet almonds can also be pressed warmly. The almonds must first be cleaned of contaminants and freed from their shells. The seed is pre-cleaned, softly warmed to press temperature, and then fed into a screw press.The finished goods, almond oil and almond press cakes, are immediately processed further. Before being shipped for further processing or storage, the press cakes are mashed and chilled. After numerous phases of purification, the oil is usually transformed into pure oil through rough filtration, fine filtration, and safety filtration. Alternatively, after pressing, the oil is allowed to sit for a few days to allow the mucilaginous components to settle and then be extracted using filter presses.Almond Oil Health BenefitsAlmond oil’s vitamins and antioxidants have important health benefits. Vitamin E, for example, is an antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals. Excess free radicals can cause oxidative stress, which has been linked to the development of degenerative and chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular disease.The monounsaturated fats present in almond oil play a supporting role in keeping the heart healthy. Almond oil is also a good substitute for oil containing saturated fats. Monounsaturated fats also aid in reducing the amount of bad LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, helping the cardiovascular system. According to research, oils that have polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, that is, almond oil, help in regulating blood sugar levels in type two diabetics. A study has even shown that people who have almond oil in their breakfast tend to develop lower blood pressure levels after consuming food all day compared to those who do not have almond oil with breakfast. Less healthy fats should be replaced with monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats. After having almond oil in their breakfast, people do not usually feel hungry and hence don’t overeat throughout the day. Almond oil also has great moisturizing capabilities. It can help in soothing the skin and give some relief from itching. It is advised to apply almond oil after mixing it with moisturizing cream to ease the symptoms of dermatitis and eczema. Massaging the scalp with almond oil will strengthen your scalp and hair. People use unrefined almond oil as a dressing over salads.Almond Oil Vs. Olive Oil DifferenceSince early times, people have been extracting oils from seeds, vegetables, and different fruits. Similarly, almond and olive oil are extracted from their seeds, respectively. These oils are used extensively in various cultures around the world and have immense health benefits as well. Almond and olive oil are used in medical fields as well. Both of them have a complex refinement process.It is better to consume olive oil with food for those who are suffering from heart disease, and almond oil is beneficial for the skin and is used in the cosmetics industry a lot. Both almond and olive oil have many benefits for the skin, and that is why they are both used in the preparation of creams, cleansers, and moisturizers. Olive oil is added to antibacterial creams to treat skin disorders. Almond oil is used to scrub dust and dirt from the skin. Almond oil also helps in regrowing hair and maintains a healthy scalp as well. Vitamin E in almond oil helps in maintaining a glow on sensitive skin, leading to more healthy skin. Sweet almond oil is used to treat hand dermatitis.Almond Oil Nutritional Profile Per ServingFor one tbsp of almond oil, which is 0.45 oz (13 g), the following nutrition information applies. It contains 119 calories, 0.47 oz (13.5 g) of daily value total fat, 0.03 oz (1.1 g) of saturated fat, 033 oz (9.4 g) of monounsaturated fat, 0.08 oz (2.3 g) of polyunsaturated fat, 26% of the daily value of vitamin E, and low amount of phytosterols. The vitamin E present in almond oil helps in maintaining healthy skin, but remember to use almond oil as a carrier oil to dilute essential oils at the time when you apply it to your skin.Saturated fat is present in small amounts in this oil. Saturated fat raises the level of bad cholesterol in the body, and that eventually leads to heart disease. This oil provides approximately 0.03 oz (one g) of saturated fats per tablespoon. It is advised to consume oils that contain less than 0.1 oz (three g) of saturated fats. When you eat a tablespoon of almond oil, you’ll get a little over 0.07 oz (two g) of polyunsaturated fat. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs, aid in the reduction of ‘bad’ cholesterol, which is beneficial to cardiovascular health. Polyunsaturated fats help in controlling weight and lead to weight loss and maintaining heart health. Almonds and almond oil both help to increase your PUFA intake. The majority of the fat in almond oil is monounsaturated fat. Plants contain the majority of monounsaturated fats. These fats, also known as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), are thought to increase HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol. According to health experts, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats should be substituted for less healthy fats (such as saturated and trans fats). Dietary fatty acids should account for 15-20% of the daily value of caloric intake, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Refined almond oil does not have as many nutrients and health benefits as unrefined oil has.
Almond oil emerged as a medicinal oil a few centuries ago.
