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Nutrition Appeal: how products benefit from almonds’ health halo

26 Apr 2022

With personal health a leading global concern for consumers according to Innova Market Insights, manufacturers are continuing to respond to rising consumer demand for healthy foods. But it’s not just our own wellbeing that drives consumer purchase decisions – natural sourcing is another factor firmly associated with personal health.

Almonds tick both of these boxes as a natural and healthy ingredient. As one of the most researched foods, with nearly 200 studies highlighting the role that almonds can play in supporting heart health, diabetes management, weight management and skin health to name a few, it’s no surprise that nine out of the top ten health messages are observed more frequently on new food products with almonds than on total food introductions.

Almonds are a naturally good ingredient, and their wealth of nutrition research in addition to their strong nutritional profile means that manufacturers can feel confident communicating their health credentials to consumers.

A Powerhouse of Nutrients

For consumers seeking an easy, natural approach to nutrition and wellbeing, almonds are an ideal ingredient thanks to their healthy nutrient package, with one (30g) serving of almonds including 4 grams of fibre, 6 grams of plant protein, seven essential vitamins and nutrients, 14 grams of “good” unsaturated fats and 1 gram of saturated fat, and 60 percent of the recommended daily amount for antioxidant vitamin E.

Foods for every Function

However, natural and healthy is not enough for some consumers who are beginning to seek out functional foods with specific benefits such as heart-healthy or immunity-boosting. But with 60% of UK consumers claiming that it’s difficult to know which of these products can make a difference to your health1, manufacturers that use on-pack health messaging, backed by science can stand out.

For example, two new studies suggest that almonds may have some unexpected benefits for the skin, with one study finding that eating almonds may support the skin’s resistance to UVB light and the other that almonds may benefit ageing skin by improving wrinkle severity and overall pigment intensity .

Balancing Nutrition with Taste and Texture

Whilst personal health is a key concern for consumers it’s not the only deciding factor when it comes to choosing what products to buy. Ultimately a product still needs to taste great and have an appealing texture. As well as their strong nutritional profile, almonds are a versatile ingredient with 14 different forms to aid innovation. Almonds’ extensive portfolio of formats - including whole, sliced, slivered, milk, butter, flour, ground, and oil - means there are endless ways for developers to incorporate almonds into products and find a taste and texture profile that appeals to consumers.

Read more on how almonds’ health credentials can add value to healthy products