Though almonds have more calories than most other nuts, almond butter is a healthy alternative to peanut butter and other spreads because of the numerous health benefits it offers. Health benefits of almond butter include a reduced risk of developing diabetes, lower cholesterol levels, and reduced blood pressure. Other benefits include increased energy levels, high amounts of protein, and high antioxidant levels. Overall heart health is one of the primary benefits of almond butter. Consuming almond butter on a regular basis may encourage healthier eating and help individuals to maintain a healthy body weight.
Heart health is one of the greatest benefits of almond butter. Studies have found that it even decreases the risk of developing heart disease. Almond butter is low in cholesterol and saturated fats, and it contains no trans-fats. Individuals who have high cholesterol or are at risk for developing heart disease may benefit greatly by substituting almond butter for other high-cholesterol spreads.
Almond butter not only contains low levels of cholesterol, it can even help to reduce harmful cholesterol that is absorbed from other foods. High levels of phytosterols are present in almond butter. This compound reduces the amounts of harmful cholesterol that is absorbed by the body and can greatly benefit the overall heart health of an individual. Almond butter has also been proven to reduce blood sugar levels in individuals, thus lowering the chances of developing diabetes or high blood pressure.
A number of minerals and nutrients can be found in almond butter, including high amounts of protein, Vitamin E, and folate. Almond butter also contains high levels of antioxidants, which are beneficial to overall health and can increase immunity levels. Large amounts of magnesium and potassium are also present in almond butter. As a result of these nutrients, as well as others, high levels of energy often result from consuming almond butter on a regular basis.
Some research also indicates that the phytochemicals present in almonds may help to reduce the chances of gallstones and some types of cancers. In addition to these benefits of almond butter, it has been suggested that individuals who consume almond butter on a regular basis are better able to maintain a healthy weight and may even lose weight as a result of the properties in almond butter. It has been found that almond butter may serve as an appetite suppressant. In combination with high energy levels and healthy fats, this may help overweight individuals to shed pounds.