Advances in understanding the nutritional profile and health benefits of almonds

Özlem Tokuşoğlu

• Publisher: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781838798543
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Sustainable Agriculture
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Almond (Prunus dulcis) is widely grown in countries with a Mediterranean climate and is considered a healthy source of many nutrients. This chapter discusses the nutritional composition of almonds and, in particular, those nutrients with nutraceutical properties, from phenolics and fatty acids to phytosterols. The author shows how this unique nutritional profile translates into health benefits related to almond consumption. Following an introduction, a section is provided on phenolics in almonds (including a breakdown on the compounds found in almond skins). Then follows a section on lipid and fatty acid content; here information is provided on the fatty acid composition of almonds from different cultivars, and also a comparison with other nut crops including hazelnut, peanut, pistachio, and walnut. Phytosterols and tocopherols are then discussed as almonds are considered a good source of both nutrients. The chapter concludes with a section on the health benefits of almonds.

Table of contents

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Phenolics
• 3 Lipids and fatty acids
• 4 Phytosterols and tocopherols
• 5 Health benefits of almonds
• 6 References