Go Nuts (in a good way) with Organic Raw Almond Butter

Nuts have always been among the quick and convenient foods to snack on. Nuts are a good substitute protein for meat as long as not eaten in excess, as they are rich in fat. The good thing is most nuts contain monounsaturated fat, which is beneficial for the heart.

Almonds are among the healthiest nuts you can consume, as it is a good source of key nutrients including antioxidants, calcium, fiber, folic acid, iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E.

Almond skin contains flavonoids which possess antioxidant capacity and in lab tests, have been found to act in synergy with other antioxidants, specifically vitamins C and E, to protect hamsters from oxidation.

Studies show that adding almonds to your diet can help lower your cholesterol levels. Aside from being a good source of monounsaturated fats, almonds are a good source of plant sterols, compounds which are chemically similar to the cholesterol your body produces. Sterols are believed to decrease the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines and lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels.

Plant sterols have also been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of BPH or enlarged prostate, a condition affecting men over the age of 50.

In addition, eating almonds does not adversely affect insulin sensitivity in healthy adults or the blood sugar levels of diabetics.

Why Go for Organic Almonds

Almond butter, similar to peanut butter, is produced by pressing or grinding raw or roasted almonds into a paste. Many people prefer almond butter, crunchy or smooth, over peanut butter. Many chocolate bars contain raw almonds and/or almond butter because of the health benefits and because both effectively enhance the flavor of the chocolate.

But not all almond butters are created equal. Almonds are now being pasteurized to ensure their safety but natural health expert Dr. Joseph Mercola warns that pasteurized almonds are neither “raw” nor healthy. He points out that according to the Almond Board of California, no heat is used when almonds are pasteurized but instead, a process known as “terminal gas sterilization” with propylene oxide is employed.

Propylene oxide is a highly toxic flammable chemical once used as a racing fuel before it was banned for safety reasons. It is also used in explosive weapons. The Environmental Protection Agency warns that dermal contact with this compound, even with dilute solutions, can cause skin irritation and necrosis in humans. Propylene oxide is also a mild central nervous system depressant and a probable carcinogen in humans.

Can you imagine eating almonds or almonds in chocolate bars laced in a toxic chemical?

If you want to make sure that you’re eating healthy almonds, you can’t go wrong if you go organic.

Dr. Mercola’s new and improved cocoa cassava bars contain USDA-certified organic ingredients, including organic raw almond butter. The raw almond butter blends in perfectly with the dark chocolate, raw cacao powder, cassava flour, unsweetened coconut, raw agave syrup and raw chia seeds to give you a tasty and nutritious natural energy bar you’re guaranteed to enjoy.

The new cocoa cassava bar will be available online in March 2010. Keep posted and be among the first to sample this new premium product from Dr. Mercola.

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