Since they have been consumed and grown for thousands of years, almonds have been symbolic of many ancient societies. As a fertility symbol, newlyweds in ancient Rome were sprinkled with almonds. The almond tree is used in the Bible to symbolize the eye of God as well as a number of other concepts, like purity.

The almond business has grown significantly in the last few years, with projections for 2020 putting it at USD 8.16 billion and 2027 at USD 11.814 billion. This is partly because studies have demonstrated the health advantages of almonds, and because plant-based diets are becoming more and more popular, and almond milk is a great dairy substitute.

Industry pressure

But this increase in demand also brings with it a number of problems. Almonds are best grown in hot, Mediterranean climates, thus large-scale cultivation is limited. In the places where they are farmed, this causes a number of issues, chief among them being water scarcity. This also implies that they are heavily shipped to nations that are unsuitable for growing almonds, frequently thousands of miles distant.

Here, we examine the nutritional makeup of almonds and the specific health benefits they provide. We also describe how they are cultivated and why farming methods must be modified.

Almonds' nutritional value and health advantages

High in protein and packed with health benefits are almonds. They include vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the body to function normally.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant and is abundant in almonds. This indicates that it shields cells from unstable atoms called free radicals, which cause aging and the onset of numerous diseases. It has been applied to mitigate the effects of cyclophosphamide, a chemotherapy medication that contains a carcinogenic component. It also keeps the skin and eyes healthy and fortifies the immune system.

B9 vitamin

Red blood cell (RBC) synthesis and other aspects of efficient cell division depend on vitamin B9, sometimes referred to as folate. Because of the aberrant RBCs caused by a B9 deficiency, which prevents them from efficiently distributing oxygen to cells, severe anemia may result. It must be obtained through diet because the body is unable to manufacture it. Almonds have a lot of folate, which emphasizes their importance in a balanced diet.

magnesium

Almonds have a high magnesium content as well. In the body, magnesium is involved in hundreds of metabolic processes. Many medical and psychological issues, including as high blood pressure, moderate to severe anxiety, and depression, have been linked to a shortage in this mineral.

Calcium

It is commonly recognized that calcium is crucial for the strength and health of teeth and bones. But it also guarantees proper blood coagulation and is essential for regular muscular contraction. Since this entails the contraction of the heart muscles, it is believed that calcium will be crucial in preventing cardiovascular disease.

The production of almonds

Trees only begin to yield almonds after around five years, thus the process of growing them is rather time-consuming. Even after then, it might take them an additional five to seven years to achieve their full nut-producing maturity. Almond trees have a 30-year lifespan on average, which means that they remain active for roughly 25 of those years.

The trees typically yield these seeds by the end of July. Almonds grow best in Mediterranean regions with rich, well-drained soils. In order to prevent rot and disease, they are dried in the sun after harvesting until their moisture level is minimal.

Production of almonds sustainably

Unfortunately, almond farming has an adverse effect on the environment because of the structure of the production chain.

Eighty percent of the almonds sold on the market come from California, the state with the largest almond production. This implies that a significant portion of the yield—roughly 70%—must be transferred to other countries. Transportation of food accounts for about 6% of greenhouse gas emissions; while there are many larger offenders, their carbon imprint is substantial because to the great distances they must travel to get this commodity to many parts of the world.

Use of water

Almonds also require a lot of water to grow; about 12 liters are needed for every almond. This translates to 276 liters of water being consumed for a standard serving size of roughly 23 almonds. About 95% of Californians have personally experienced the effects of droughts, which frequently result in hosepipe bans and other measures being implemented to address the problem.

Aquatic biodiversity has also been impacted by the enormous amount of water used in almond cultivation. Since rivers are being redirected to accommodate the expansion of farming, the population of wild salmon has suffered greatly.

Resolutions

Making almond trees more resistant to drought stress could be one way to cut down on water use. Algae-based bio stimulants, which have been demonstrated to have modest but insignificant effects on almond quality, can be used to do this.

According to one MDPI study, more precise evapotranspiration modeling is required in order to get data on water usage. This will enable the development of more accurate and knowledgeable water-use strategies, resulting in the most efficient distribution of water.