We all know that everyone should add nuts to their diet. But what makes soaking them special?
Well, nuts are packed with a healthy dose of nutrients necessary for our bodies. But, the process of soaking and fermenting, makes them an even more potent food for our health. The simplest way of saying this is that, by soaking the nuts, you improve their nutritional value.
As a result, many raw food recipes suggest that people soak seeds or nuts. But, the nutritional value is not the only thing that increases, their taste becomes even better as well. Besides, nuts such as walnuts and almonds have a more appealing taste after you soak them.
Plus, sometimes when you need to make a soft blended food, it is best to soak the nuts first. This way they can blend easier and can make an excellent paste. Furthermore, when you soak the nuts for about 20 minutes, you can see some changes in the water.
Much of the residue, tannins, and even dust will come out from the skins and will make the nuts smoother and tastier. So, not only have you rinsed them, but you have also removed all the potentially harmful bacteria that might have been stuck on the nut.
But, make sure not to use the water after soaking. Discard it immediately upon soaking.
What Happens When You Soak Nuts
The process of soaking makes the nuts easier for peeling. Their skin comes out fast and they become softer. As a result, the nut losses some nutrients, but obtains a number of positive effects that can be very beneficial for the body.
Here is a list of what happens to the nuts after you soak them and how they can affect the health.
- the water removes the phytic acid
- removes tannins
- neutralizes the enzyme inhibitors
- encourages the production of useful enzymes
- increases the amount of vitamin B
- dissolves the gluten
- boosts digestion
- prevents bone loss and mineral deficiencies
- neutralizes toxins in the colon
- prevents health conditions and diseases
How Long Does it Take?
Soaking can take up to seven hours in some acidulated water. So, it is much easier to leave the nuts soak overnight to get all those benefits they can offer. But, you can also let them soak for another twelve hours.
It all depends on how much time you want to soak them. Nevertheless, make sure that you leave them to soak at least for six to seven hours, or until some dust appears in the water.
Benefits of Soaking Nuts Before Consumption
Here are more details about why you should soak the nuts before eating them.
The Skin Peels Away Easily
Immediately after soaking, the skin of the nuts becomes much easier to remove. Even though many people believe you shouldn’t remove the skin, it still depends on personal taste. Besides, some people find the skin bitter and disgusting, while others love consuming it.
So, it all comes down to personal preferences. Plus, according to experts, the almond skin contains flavonoids that can improve gut health. Therefore, they believe that people shouldn’t throw away the skin, even if it tastes bitter.
However, since it all comes down to personal preferences, you should make your own choice. Whether you like to eat the skin or not, it is up to you. But, if the skin creates problems for your digestive organs, make sure to avoid it.
Washes Away Dust
Many facilities process nuts, but, none wash them. Since nuts stay in the storage for a very long time, they get very dirty and absorb plenty of dust. Therefore, by soaking the nuts for a longer period, you can remove all the contaminants stuck on the skin along with the dust.
So, it is a great idea to start soaking them today.
Nuts Become Softer
According to research, nuts, especially almonds have a structure that makes it harder for the stomach to properly digest and dissolve them. So, if you have a very sensitive stomach, gluten sensitivity, or digestive problems, you should soak nuts.
By soaking them, you can modify their structure and make them easier to digest, dissolve and break down in the body. In addition, you can chew them faster, easier and without causing irritation of the gut immediately after consumption.
But, don’t worry about the taste. The taste is even better and less bitter after soaking.
Removes Tannins
The reason behind their rough structure and the cause of your discomfort after eating are the tannins. The phenolic compounds in the nuts are there to protect the nut, but for us, they can cause problems with digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Plus, these compounds are also common in apples, bananas, and some berries. By inhibiting our digestive enzymes, they limit our usage of vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, tannins can also affect the body if you consume too many proteins.
In addition, high quantities of tannins may impact the absorption of iron by the body. So, by soaking the nuts, you will remove the problematic tannins and make this food easier to digest and process.
Decreases the Amount of Phytic Acid
Phytic acid is a natural antioxidant that contains a huge amount of health benefits, but, it can also cause some problems with the absorption of minerals from your diet.
The phytic acids bind to the metal ions like zinc, iron, and calcium, and creates insoluble salts that are hard to absorb in the gastrointestinal tract. In the long run, this acid can deprive the system of the essential minerals.
By soaking the nuts, you will remove this ”antinutrient” in the nuts and make them easier to digest and dissolve. Plus, you will allow the body to absorb all the minerals from the food that you consume.
How to Soak Nuts
There are two important parts of soaking nuts which are salt and warm water. Here is what you will need.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of organic nuts
- a tablespoon of salt
- 3 or 4 cups of filtered warm water
Instructions
Put the water in a big or a medium size bowl and add the salt. Wait for it to dissolve before adding the nuts. Make sure not to add too many nuts, so that they will all be submerged by the water. Let them rest in the water without covering them.
But, make sure not to put them in the refrigerator. Just leave them at room temperature. After at least 7 hours have passed (you can leave them for even 24 hours), rinse the nuts well and put them on a baking sheet.
Bake them in the oven at 150 F until they become completely dry. However, have in mind that dehydrating them can take a long time, even 24 hours. So, better use a dehydrator if you need to use the oven later in the day.
Now your nuts are ready. Enjoy.
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Source: CureJoy | The Spruce | Food Matters | Wellness Mama
