Almond oil is a popular ingredient in all-natural beauty products. It keeps the scalp, hair and skin hydrated and nourished. Almond oil is also used as a makeup remover and as a massage oil. Its cosmetic uses aside, almond oil is also an excellent health food.
Almond oil is extracted by pressing ripe almonds with minimal heat. The cold-pressed variety is prized over the expeller pressed variety these days since the former is believed to preserve its nutrients better.
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Loaded with healthy fats, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals, almond oil can be used for a variety of culinary purposes. It's light, flavourful and has a deliciously nutty aroma.
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Health Benefits of Almond Oil
Almond oil is rich in antioxidants, that fight against free radicals. It has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Often, it's used as a remedy to soothe the skin and treat minor cuts and bruises. Almond oil is used in naturopathy to treat skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Here are some of its key health benefits.
- Good source of vitamin E: Almond oil is a rich source of vitamin E. An antioxidant, the micronutrient fights free radicals that cause damage to healthy cells, leading to heart diseases and cancer. The oil may help reduce harmful oxidative stress.
- Controls blood sugar levels: Almond oil is a good source of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat, which help lower blood sugar in diabetics.
- Aid in weight loss: Almond oil is rich in healthy fatty acids which may help to lose weight. Adding almond oil to your diet may help you improve your metabolism.
- Nourishes hair and skin
- Lowers bad cholesterol
- Antioxidant-rich
- Helps heal minor scrapes and cuts
- Helps treat dark circles under the eyes
- Could help in reducing post-operative scarring
- Immune boosting
- Anti-inflammatory
- Protects nerves
15 ml of Almond oil has the following nutritional composition.
| Nutritional Fact | Measure%(DV) |
| Calories | 25 |
| Fat | 22% |
| Sodium | 0% |
| Protein | 0% |
| Carbohydrates | 0% |
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How to use almond oil
Almond oil is more commonly used for cosmetic purposes. It's an excellent substitute for moisturiser and is a nourishing hair oil. It is also used as an under-eye massage oil to remove or lighten dark circles.
Using almond oil on the skin during harsh winter months helps protect the skin's moisture and prevents it from going dry. Almond oil also has plenty of the skin-loving nutrient vitamin E.
It's also a great sunscreen, preventing sun damage to the skin. It can also be applied to the belly during pregnancy as an all-natural lotion to prevent stretch marks.
Almond oil is aromatic and delicious, but the unrefined variety has a low smoke point. Hence, it shouldn't be used in cooking methods that use high temperatures like deep frying and baking.
Instead, use it as a flavouring agent or as a finishing oil to food. Drizzle it over salads, khichdi, congee, pasta or risotto for a mild almond flavour. It can also be used in vinaigrettes.
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