Can you eat Indian almond?
What are the benefits of Indian almonds?
Indian almonds, also known as Terminalia catappa, have various uses. They can be technologically exploited to obtain flour for making cakes and candied almonds, providing a significant source of nutrients, taste, and pleasant aroma. Almonds are also a rich source of anti-oxidant nutrients, proteins, minerals such as calcium and magnesium, vitamin E, dietary fiber, B-vitamins, mono-unsaturated fats, and phytosterols with cholesterol-lowering properties. The Indian almond tree is a multipurpose tree that provides timber, bark suitable for tanning, dyes, and delicious seed kernels. Almonds have been shown to have a beneficial impact on dyslipidemia, reducing LDL-C levels and maintaining HDL-C levels, which are known risk factors for coronary heart disease. Additionally, almond consumption has been found to reduce HbA1c, total cholesterol, and LDL-C levels, making them a potential food-based strategy for preventing pre-diabetes.