Page 55 - 31OCT2019E

HEALTH

i.e. those with a smoking history, there is
variance in ageing confounders, such as
frequency of ultraviolet (UV) light expo- BENEFITS THAT KEEP YOU FIT
sure and emotional stress, which were
outside the scope of the study. Almonds are very popular Eating one or two handfuls
Another research has found that con- tree nuts. Almonds are high of almonds per day can lead
suming 60 grams of nuts daily improves in healthy monounsaturated fats, to mild reductions in “bad” LDL cho-
sexual functions such as boosting desire fiber, protein and various important lesterol, potentially reducing the
and orgasm quality. The findings, pub- nutrients. risk of heart disease.
lished in the journal Nutrients, show that
adding walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds Almonds are high in antioxi- “Bad” LDL cholesterol can
to an unhealthy western diet can im- dants that can protect your become oxidized, which is a
prove sexual desire and orgasm quality. cells from oxidative damage, a ma- crucial step in the development of
For the study, researchers from jor contributor to aging and disease. heart disease. Snacking on almonds
Rovirai Virgili University and the Pere has been shown to significantly
Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV) Almonds are among the world’s reduce oxidized LDL.
in Spain, conducted a nutritional inter- best sources of vitamin E. Get-
vention study with healthy participants ting plenty of vitamin E from While nuts are low in carbs,
of reproductive age in order to deter- foods is linked to numerous health they are high in protein and
mine if regular consumption of nuts has benefits. fiber. Studies show that eating al-
any effect on sexual functions. monds and other nuts can increase
The researchers analysed 83 individ- Almonds are extremely high in fullness and help you eat fewer
uals for 14 weeks who were following a magnesium, a mineral that calories.
western diet which is poor in fruits and many people don’t get enough
vegetables and rich in animal fats. In a of. High magnesium intake may Though almonds are high in
previous study, the same research group offer major improvements for calories, eating them doesn’t
described how certain nuts such as wal- metabolic syndrome and type 2 seem to promote weight gain. Some
nuts, hazelnuts and almonds improved diabetes. studies even suggest the opposite,
sperm quality, although then they had showing that almonds can enhance
not established positive effects of nuts on Low magnesium levels are weight loss.
sexual function. strongly linked to high blood
According to the researchers, the pressure, indicating that almonds All things considered, almonds are
prevalence of erectile and sexual dys- can help control blood pressure. as close to perfect as a food can get.
function affects two per cent of men
under the age of 40 years, around 52
per cent of men aged 40 to 70 years and
more than 85 per cent of men aged over Almonds contain lots shipments grew by 68 per cent between
80. The risk factors associated with sex- 2011-12 and 2017-18.
ual and erectile dysfunction are smok- of healthy fats, fiber, The board is focussing on families, gifts
ing, excessive alcohol consumption, a protein, magnesium during festivals such as Diwali and wed-
lack of physical exercise, stress and an ding ceremonies, and the food processing
unhealthy diet. Seeking to tap the grow- and vitamin E. Their Industry, said ABC President and CEO
ing almond market in India, the US is health benefits include Richard Waycott. “The way forward
employing several innovative methods is to continue to do more research in
such as promoting the nuts as a healthy lower blood sugar the country,” he said. “Almonds have
snack, conducting health research, and been consumed over centuries in India
focusing on festivals, wedding ceremo- levels, reduced blood because of the traditional knowledge and
nies, and the food processing industry to pressure and lower beliefs. Lately, we are beginning to see
boost sales in the country. consumers looking for healthy snacks
According to the Almond Board of cholesterol levels. and almonds is one of the options which
California (ABC), direct almond ship- They also reduce is getting picked up,” Sudarshan Mazum-
ments to India surged to a record high dar, ABC Regional Director — India was
in 2016-17 at 167 million pounds making hunger and promote recently quoted as saying.
it the second largest export destination weight loss
behind Spain at 210 million pounds. The letters@tehelka.com

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