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02 August 2017

Almond milk, the thousand-year-old drink full of benefits

Almond milk is a drink obtained through a process of extraction of actual almonds. It’s not a fatty food (even though it has a high calorie content, 50 calories every 100 ml), and is much used in vegan and vegetarian diets and in those specifically for intolerances.

WHERE DOES ALMOND MILK COME FROM?

This drink was created in the Middle Ages and was produced in the Sicilian monasteries and in a large part of the southern regions. This milk, (that’s right, it’s called milk, given the European Court of Justice has forbidden the use of the word “milk” for products of vegetable origin, except for the milk of almond and coconut) which has a white/beige colour, can be preserved for a long time, and it’s precisely for this reason that it’s often preferred to cow’s milk: it doesn’t contain lactose, it has a lower protein content, but is rich in fibre, vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, manganese, zinc, potassium, iron, phosphorus and calcium and tends to facilitate the digestion. It’s very beneficial for the muscles and the skin; it’s rich in energy and thanks to its slow content of carbohydrates, it doesn’t increase the level of sugars in the blood.

8 reasons why almond milk is good for the health:

  1. It’s an ideal food for those who want to lose weight. It has a low cholesterol content and has many fewer calories than cow milk and soya-based drinks. A cup of full cow’s milk, in fact, has 140 calories, one of soya milk 80, while one of almond milk 40. If no sugar is added, moreover, a cup of almond milk contains 30 calories.
  2. The consumption of almond milk is a great help for those who have problems with cholesterol and triglycerides. It improves the level of “good” cholesterol (HDL) and reduces that of “bad” cholesterol (LDL). It has half the cholesterol levels of olive oil. In addition, it reinforces the heart.
  3. It favours the absorption of sugars and fats into the intestine.
  4. Almond milk is easy to digest; it doesn’t contain milk and derivatives and doesn’t weigh on the digestion.
  5. It’s recommended in the event of a lowering of potassium levels. Almond milk has a high content of potassium, so it’s of great help in recovering lost minerals in the event of illness.
  6. The high level of natural fibre contained in almond milk protects the intestine walls and favours its proper functioning. In many cases, those who have gastrointestinal problems or suffer from gastritis add almond milk too their daily diet to regulate the functions of the organisms.
  7. The vitamin B2 present in almond milk helps to strengthen nails and hair, besides hydrating the skin.
  8. A 100 ml portion of almond milk contributes 120 mg of calcium, that is, 15% of the daily recommended intake of this mineral. A 200 ml glass contributes 30% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin D, vitamin B2, B12 and E.
RECIPE TO MAKE IT AT HOME

You can make almond milk also at home; here’s how:

300 g of almonds, organic if possible

1 litre of water

Sugar to taste

Finely grind the almonds and put them in a napkin or a light tea towel. Close the napkin like a sweet wrapper so that no almonds escape. Pour the water into a bowl and take a jug. Immerge the napkin with the almonds into the water and squeeze the juice into the jug. Repeat the procedure until the milk takes on a nice white colour. Add sugar to the almond milk as preferred.

In this way you will have obtained your homemade almond milk! It certainly won’t be of the same density as that bought in the supermarket, but it will be tastier and more delicate.

In addition, the ground almonds that you have left over can be used to make delicious cakes or biscuits! 😉

Sources: www.greenme.it ; www.viverepiusani.it ;