How almonds can make you THIN

Got nuts? New evidence finds that you can have your almonds and eat them too, with no effect on your weight.

A recent study led by Dr. Richard Mattes and Dr. Sza-Yen Tan at Purdue University published in the October issue of The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that participants who consumed a 43 gram portion of dry-roasted, lightly salted almonds every day for four weeks saw boosts in their vitamin E and monounsaturated or ‘good’ fats, but didn’t gain any weight – despite the 250 calorie daily intake. This was tested on both men and women, of which some were overweight and some normal weight.

Now usually when a figure like this is given it doesn’t amount to much, but with each almond weighing in at around one gram (yep, we weighed them), that makes for about 43 almonds every single day. Now we’re talking.

These almonds were eaten individually as well as part of a meal and by improving these levels, participants will have found increase in the body’s antioxidants, protecting the cells from environmental and aging stresses.

So could this maintained weight be down to good choices in snacking? The researchers also found that during an eight hour day, participants who ate the almonds didn’t feel as hungry as those who went without and ate less at subsequent meals.

Snacking is becoming more common in the UK, with new snack-time brands and products constantly being launched. This market is expected to grown by 30.5 per cent in the next five years, and as some believe snacking can be linked to weight gain, it is important that your snack of choice has nutritional benefits. Almonds could be your answer.

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