Is Almond A Nut ?Are Almonds Fattening?

Is Almond A Nut ?

Is Almond A Nut ? is a very common question in the mind of some people.Also people are puzzled is almond a nut or a dry fruit.Also we are curious about "are almonds fattening ?".Here you will get answers related to is almond a true nut.This article will help you to know about what is almond and how it helps to improve the health.


Commonly we all know almond as a nut.First of all we should know what is a nut? A true nut is a pod that has a hard shell and contains both the fruit and the seed of a plant. The shell of true nuts is usually inedible, but the seed can be eaten.More ever in case of a true nut the shell does not open to release the seed to the outer world.This is the proper definition of nuts in the eyes of botany.The examples of true nuts are hazelnuts and chestnuts.So in botany 'Nut' is a dry fruit which does not split open  after maturity to release the single seed to the outside world.

Now we should know "what is a drupe?" before knowing  is almond a nut .In botany drupes are kind of fruits that have a thin skin,fleshy middle part(generally edible except coconut,almond)and the third part part.In drupes the third part contains the seed surrounded by the shell.So this is the main difference between nut and drupes.Examples of drupes are peach,cherries,plums.

Now the question is almond a nut ?Lets check out the truth.The next paragraph will help you to find out is almond a nut  and difference between nuts and drupes.

But in case of almond,pistachios,walnut and coconut there is a twist.These are also some relatives to the other drupes but with a difference.In case of coconut the middle part of the drupes are harse so it can't be eaten.In case of almonds the middle part of the fruit  is not fleshy instead it is tough.This middle layer is not edible .Then comes the hard shell which opens unlike the nuts to release seeds to outer world.This shell is called as pits which contains generally one seed,at the most two or three seeds.The seed which is inside the pit  is what we eat in case of almond,walnuts etc.So,almonds are seed of the fruits of almond tree.

So we got the answer of Is Almond A Nut ?No,it is not a true nut.Because in this case the seed may be released from pits.Also nut is a complete dry fruit that has a hard shell and contains both the fruit and the seed of a plant.But almond what we eat as nuts is basically the seed of the fruits of almond tree.It is stored inside a hard shell called pits.As because the seed contains oils we confused it with nuts.
Almond, (Prunus dulcis), tree native to southwestern Asia is a member of the family Rosaceae. Prunus dulcis is an economically important crop tree grown primarily in Mediterranean. Climates between 28° and 48° N and between 20° and 40° S, with California producing nearly 80 percent of the world’s supply. There are two varieties, sweet almonds (P. dulcis variety dulcis) and bitter almonds (P. dulcis variety amara). Sweet almonds is the version we generally consume.

Almond fruit with seeds inside pits

Are Almonds Fattening?

Almond is  praised worldwide for its health benefits and nutrients.Nowadays it is an important part of our diets for immense benefits of almonds.It is known for several health benefits from the ancient time.Benefits of almonds is also documented in Ayurveda.It was documented by the experts of ayurveda that almonds have tremendous brainpower boosting capability and also good for heart,sex  overall health.
Almonds are rich in fat content.Most of which are monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats.
100 gm of almonds contains 49 gm of total fat(nearly 75% of daily required value).Out of which, saturated fat is 3.7 g,polyunsaturated fat is 12 g and monounsaturated fat is 31 g.Now the question is are almonds fattening ?The answer is almonds can be fattening if consumed in large quantities.
Though almonds contains a lot of unsaturated fats still it can make you fatty if consumed in larger quantities.Keep in mind they are high in calories also.But if consumed in recommended portion it will help you to reduce weight,belly fat.
The review, funded by Almond Board of California, states that consuming 45 gm of almonds daily can reduce symptoms of dyslipidemia.Dyslipidemia is an condition in which the level of LDL(bad) cholesterol increases and level of HDL(good) cholesterol decreases.People in India who suffers from dyslipidemia are in major risk of heart diseases.Almonds are rich in HDL and it lowers the LDL. So it is recommended for people to consume almonds as it lowers the levels of LDL and also helps to maintain a good HDL level.In The 2015-2020 dietary guidelines for Americans it is recommended that you consume 2 to 5 ounces of almonds per week.1 ounce of almond is equal to 23 almonds.So this is the quantity which will help you to reduce weight rather than be fatty.

Almonds for good heart

Almonds is enjoyed in soaked,fried,roast form.Homemade rich creamy almond milk is also full of nutrients.It is delicious in taste also.I personally love to munch few roasted almonds in my snack.When i start munching the 1st one, i can't restrict myself from munching one by one.It is so delicious that we Indians add almonds in desert i.e kheer, badam milk and porridge.

Almond Nutrition Fact:

Here are the other nutritional facts of half a cup serving of almond other than the vitamins.The chart depict the amount per serving and the percentage of daily required value.Also magnesium and copper is present in almonds except the mentioned minerals in the chart.

Amount per serving
%Daily Value

Calorie: 413

Protein:15 g

Dietary fiber: 8g                               
Fat: 36g
TransFat: 0g                               
Sodium: 1mg
Potassium:  521mg
Cholesterol: 0
Sugar: 3.5g

% daily value is based on 2000 calorie diet.Source Fatsecret platform.

Hope now the confusion is almond a nut is now clear.You are also aware about the answers of are almonds fattening .
Also Read:Vitamins In Almonds And Benefits Of Almonds