Easy Health Care with a Handful of Almonds Rich in Vitamin E

April is a month when the temperature difference between the chilly mornings and evenings and the warmer daytime rises significantly, resulting in a large diurnal temperature variation. Such transitional periods with temperature swings of over 10 degrees Celsius can easily weaken the immune system, making it a time to pay close attention to health warning signs. Especially nowadays, as the importance of immunity is increasingly emphasized, managing 'immunity' to prepare against virus and bacterial invasions has become even more crucial. In this regard, the California Almond Board introduces an easy way to consume 'Vitamin E,' a powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen immune function by combating reactive oxygen species in the body, fitting well into the busy modern lifestyle.

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant nutrient that strengthens the cell membranes of the human body and enhances the production capacity of antibodies, defending against attacks from various bacteria and viruses and preventing their invasion into the body. It also plays an essential role in red blood cell formation and aids iron absorption, which helps increase the number of white blood cells in the bloodstream, thereby effectively boosting immunity. Additionally, Vitamin E is vital for maintaining healthy nerves and muscles. Like all vitamins, Vitamin E is not synthesized within the body, so it is necessary to consume it consistently through foods or other sources.

A handful of almonds (about 23 kernels, 30g), a representative food rich in Vitamin E, contains 8mg of Vitamin E, which corresponds to 67% of the daily recommended intake for Koreans. Moreover, the Vitamin E found in almonds is in the form of alpha-tocopherol, which has twice the absorption rate compared to the Vitamin E included in typical health supplements, providing a more powerful antioxidant effect.

Furthermore, almond consumption also helps in recovering skin health, which can easily become fatigued due to the recent daily mask-wearing. The antioxidant substances in the Vitamin E contained in almonds protect cell tissues from reactive oxygen species generated by ultraviolet rays, pollutants, and other environmental factors, helping to keep the skin moist and prevent aging. Vitamin E is also beneficial for alleviating lethargy caused by fatigue, making it effective in restoring and revitalizing skin that has lost elasticity and become dull due to prolonged mask-wearing and moisture.

Kim Min-jung, the Korea representative of the California Almond Board and a nationally certified nutritionist in the United States, stated, “Consuming a handful of almonds daily provides not only Vitamin E but also 4g of dietary fiber, 8mg of Vitamin E, 6g of protein, and 11 essential nutrients including heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which help improve immunity and maintain health during the transitional seasons.”