New Studies

The development of acrylamide through cooking foods such as raw nuts continues to receive a great deal of attention in the scientific world. The discovery of the chemical formation through cooking happened accidentally during the year of 2002. Large science groups continue to seek information and mainly started posing questions regarding the acrylamide during the year of 2009.

No research has specifically targeted the health benefits of raw nuts compared to roasted nuts in regard to the formation of acrylamide.

Choosing Raw or Roasted

With the emergence of the studies regarding the dangerous chemical triggered by amino acids through roasting raw nuts, you will more than likely lean toward raw varieties. However, some nuts do not contain high levels of certain amino acids that cause the increase of the harmful chemical acrylamide, therefore making them harmless after the roasting process.

Roasted nuts often please the taste buds more than the raw option because oily fats get released through the heating process; some people will not eat raw nuts simply because of the lack of taste. Regardless of your choice, both options provide numerous health benefits. Only some nuts provide a little more or a little less nutrition through the roasting process. Here you will see an example of raw cashews nutritionally compared to roasted cashews. One serving size of cashews equals around one ounce or 28 grams.

• Raw Cashews – 2 grams of saturated fat, 5 grams of protein
• Roasted Cashews – 3 grams of saturated fat, 4 grams of protein

The comparison contains very little information because all of the other major nutrients within the nut remain the same. In other words, roasting nuts barely affects the nutritional content

Health Benefits of All Nuts

Nearly all nuts, raw or roasted, contain healthy fats that work in your body to reduce bad cholesterol levels. In turn, your blood pressure becomes regular and healthy, and you face less risk of major heart attacks and diseases. Nuts also pack several beneficial vitamins and minerals including copper, magnesium, manganese and more. Most of these work to eliminate free radicals in your body, reducing the risk of cancerous diseases.

Other powerful vitamins, such as Vitamin B1 of thiamin found in raw nuts like pistachios, metabolize fats and carbohydrates while regulating muscle function and the nervous system. Vitamin B6, commonly found in raw and roasted almonds and peanuts, helps provide folate to fight the risk of heart disease and bad cholesterol levels.

You will find a numerous lists of benefits at www.3Fatchicks.com under the food section for specific raw nut types.

 

Should I eat raw or roasted nuts?





I’m still surprised at the number of people who buy raw almonds thinking that they’re raw. The truth is they’re not. In the fall of 2007 a bill was passed requiring all raw almonds in North America to undergo a mandatory pasteurization making it illegal to purchase raw almonds.

Last week a federal judge rejected challenges to the law, which was introduced in response to two isolated outbreaks of salmonella, in conjunction with conventional almond farms, one in Canada in 2001, and a second in Oregon in 2004. While contamination in almonds is not common, the industry determined that aggressive measures were necessary to prevent any other occurrences.

Raw almonds, the heartbeat of all nuts, literally, have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease, a rich source of calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, protein, fiber and antioxidants to name a few. Now, these once amazing and life enhancing health benefits have become devastatingly reduced if not completely eliminated in the pasteurization process.

Luckily, there are a few loop holes that still allow you to purchase raw almonds. You can purchase them online, and at farmers markets. Just make sure to buy from a reputable source.

My Thoughts:
Laws like this are a blatant attack on our food freedom. I remember emailing Nancy Pelosi back in 2007, only to get an email response cloaked in “we must do this for the health of the nation”. My only response was to ask, how many people die every day from prescription medication that the pharmaceutical cartel and corrupt FDA label as safe? I’m still waiting for a response to that email.

Would love to hear your thoughts and any recommendations on where you buy your raw almonds.