On Thursday, February 16, World Almond Day is celebrated, one of the quintessential nuts. Almonds are an excellent source of essential nutrients for athletes and can help improve exercise performance and recovery .
It is a food that we can find in countless recipes , from sauces to desserts, but we must admit that there is nothing like eating them "in bulk".
And don't worry, despite the fact that it is a nut rich in calories and fat, the truth is that it is still a super healthy product as long as it is consumed in moderation. That is why today we bring you 5 of the benefits that almonds bring to athletes , so that, with the excuse, you can pay a small tribute.
1. They help the growth and repair of muscles.
Thanks to its high protein content, almonds can be a great ally for athletes looking to increase their muscle mass. In addition, thanks to the large amount of fiber they provide, they help control appetite and improve digestion.
2. They protect cells from oxidative damage.
Another of the properties of almonds is its high content of vitamin E. This vitamin helps protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells in the body and contribute to diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Intense exercise can generate more free radicals, and vitamin E helps protect the body against this damage.
Vitamin E can also help improve immune system function , which can help prevent exercise-related illnesses like overtraining syndrome.
3. They reduce fatigue and exhaustion.
Almonds are also a good source of magnesium , a mineral that helps reduce fatigue and exhaustion during exercise. Therefore, the consumption of almonds will help us to be at 100% throughout the training.
4. They favor the regulation of heart rate and muscle contraction.
Magnesium also aids in muscle contraction , the process by which muscles contract and generate force, and heart rate regulation, allowing the body to adequately supply blood and oxygen to the muscles during exercise.
5. They improve bone health.
Almonds manage to strengthen our bones, thus improving bone health, essential for sport. Bones are the building blocks of the body and are responsible for supporting weight and providing stability to muscles. Without strong, healthy bones, athletes can be at greater risk of injuries affecting our performance.
We are sure that with these benefits more than one will increase the consumption of almonds, but remember you have to moderate your intake, since excessive consumption of them can contribute to weight gain and related health problems such as obesity and diabetes.