Almonds are packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber, and are associated with a number of health benefits. Just a handful of almonds — approximately 1 ounce — contain one-eighth of our daily protein needs.

Almonds may be eaten on their own, raw, or toasted; they are available sliced, flaked, slivered, as flour, oil, butter, or almond milk.

Almonds are, in fact, seeds; they are a “drupe” and are therefore not considered a true nut.

Almond trees are believed to have been one of the earliest trees to have been domesticated. Evidence of domesticated almond trees dating to 3000-2000 BC have been unearthed in Jordan.

The health benefits of almonds have been documented for centuries, and modern research backs up some of these claims – there any many goods reasons to include them in your diet.

Fast facts on almonds:

Here are some key points about almonds. More detail and supporting information is in the main article.

Almonds are not, in fact, a true nut.

The almond is a species of tree native to India, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Wild almonds contain a powerful toxin.

Some evidence suggests that almonds can lower cholesterol levels.

Almonds were first domesticated thousands of years ago.