What is Almond Milk?
Almond milk is a substitute for traditional cow’s milk, made from the liquid left behind after blending finely ground almonds with water and straining the pulp. It is suitable for vegans, those who are lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy products, and for people with diabetes as it does not cause your blood sugar to spike. It has a long history going back hundreds of years to the Middle Ages, where it was popular because of its ability to keep far longer than milk from other sources, as well as its high protein content. It also contains little to no saturated fat and is very nutritious. It normally does not have a high calcium content, but the majority of California almond milk which is shop bought is fortified with calcium.
Nutrient Content of Almond Milk
The benefits of drinking almond milk are vast in number due to its nutritious nature. It has a high unsaturated fat content, which helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as no cholesterol or saturated fat, a low calorie count – less than that of cow’s milk – and omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Almond milk is also a good source of flavonoids, thanks to it being made by processing almonds with the skin still on. It is also a rich antioxidant source which makes it beneficial when preventing cancer and heart disease. Also found in almond milk is selenium, manganese, and vitamin E.
How Can High Blood Pressure Affect Your Health?
High blood pressure can be seriously detrimental to your health, as it puts a lot of strain on your arteries. The longer you have high blood pressure; the more damage is done to your blood vessels throughout your body. This can lead to lasting health problems such as heart and kidney disease and increases the risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
How Does Almond Milk Lower Your Blood Pressure?
Consuming foods that have low cholesterol and sodium contents work wonders for the health of the heart. With only 5mg of sodium per serving and no cholesterol, almond milk is up there with the best products to add to your diet when focusing on your heart health, and helps maintain normal blood pressure.
Along with the other nutrients listed above, almond milk also contains 150mg of potassium in every serving. Potassium helps to reduce blood pressure by counteracting the effects that sodium has on the body and helps maintain a healthy amount of fluid in the body. Too much fluid causes higher blood pressure, so consuming potassium realigns the balance and helps your kidneys do their job properly.
Almonds, as well as cashews, are one of the richest natural sources of magnesium. Whether you are overweight or not, magnesium deficiency can have a massive impact on your blood pressure. It is advised to intake between 310mg and 420mg of magnesium, and a single cup of almonds contains around 250mg. It is always better to gain your nutrients from a whole food source rather than supplements.