five reasons to...

1 CAN HELP YOU CONCENTRATE STRUGGLING to focus at your desk? A recent study published in the British Journal of Nutrition that investigated the ‘post-lunch cognitive crash’ (when our memory and attention starts to dip in the afternoon) found that eating a high-fat lunch with almonds resulted in significantly smaller declines.

This is because almonds are packed with nutrients that are important for brain health, including vitamin E, folate and unsaturated fatty acids, and L-carnitine – which has been found to have brainboosting, neuroprotective benefits.

2 GOOD FOR YOUR HEART THE high fat content in almonds is mainly mono and polyunsaturated that benefit your heart. Almonds contain linoleic acid, an important fatty acid which contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.

3 THEY’RE GREAT FOR SKIN ALMONDS are the healthiest and cheapest way to get an A-lister glow. They are high in zinc and riboflavin, and a source of niacin, which all contribute to the maintenance of normal nails and skin. They are also rich in vitamin E, which can help to protect cells from the oxidative stress caused by pollution, UV rays from the sun, cigarette smoke and other environmental factors – all of which contribute to the skin ageing process.

4 CAN HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS A 2014 study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that a mid-morning, 42g snack of almonds helped to control appetite and resulted in a reduced calorie intake for lunch and dinner. Rather than skipping a snack, keeping a pot of almonds by your desk may curb hunger pangs later in the day.

5 THEY’LL GIVE YOU ENERGY THEY COME LOADED WITH GOOD NUTRITION THAT WILL POWER YOU THROUGH A LONG SHIFT AT THE OFFICE. AS WELL AS OPTIMISING BRAIN FUNCTION WITH PROTEINS, THEY ALSO CONTAIN A POTENT MIX OF FIBRE AND HEALTHY FATS TO HELP YOU