Consumers have new reasons to enjoy almonds as researchers have recently announced that nuts not only taste good, but they are also good for you. Almonds are one of the most nutritious of all nuts. As more and more consumers become dedicated to healthy life-styles, experts have found that adding natural foods, such as almonds, to your diet may be the prescription for physical wellness in the 21st century. Cancer Prevention - Almonds are low in saturated fat and contain many other protective nutrients - calcium and magnesium - for strong bones, vitamin E and compounds called phytochemicals, which may help protect against cardiovascular disease and even cancer. Phytochemical Powerhouse - Leading nutrition scientists presented their research findings in a symposium entitled "Nuts in a Healthful Diet", as a part of the 1998 Experimental Biology annual meeting. Dr. Gary Beecher, of the USDA-ARS, has analyzed the phytochemical content of almonds and states, I have never seen this diversity of phytochemicals in a single food source. Reduce Heart Attack Risk - Studies have shown that those who consumed nuts five times a week had a 50% reduction in risk of heart attack. Lower Cholesterol - Not only do almonds contain NO cholesterol, but rather a qualified health claim for the ability of almonds to lower cholesterol levels has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. High in Protein & Other Nutrients - One ounce of almonds contains 12 percent of your daily allowance of protein. In addition, this little nut is also loaded with minerals like magnesium, phosphorus and zinc, as well as lots of healthy fiber. And don't forget calcium and folic acid - they're in there too! Accordingly, wonderfully delicious, almonds have and will continue to be revered as a symbol of wellness and health! That's why you can't help but go nuts over our nuts! Almonds contain the following: • Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats- reducing low density lipoproteins (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol • Protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E and other antioxidants and photochemical. • 35% of the daily value of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, shown to protect cells from damaging oxygen free radicals, which promote heart disease, cancer and aging. EAT ORGANIC ALMONDS TO PROMOTE WELLNESS WITH A HEALTHFUL DIET!! Nestled between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Pacific Coast Ranges is California's fertile Central Valley, home to one of the oldest and most beautiful flowering fruit trees. Unlike other flowering fruit trees that bear edible fruit, this tree's "pearl" is the delicious nut found inside the fruit, the almond. The almond is one of the most versatile nuts in the world. We eat many varieties in many diverse forms. Almonds are delicious alone as a nutritious snack, and they are a prime ingredient in home kitchens and in food manufacturing. Almonds enhance virtually every food they grace with their distinctive taste and satisfying crunch. California is the only place in North America where almonds are grown commercially. In the past 30 years, California's almond yield has quadrupled. More than 450,000 acres in the lush San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys are under almond cultivation, stretching 400 miles between Bakersfield and Red Bluff, California. Almonds are California's largest tree nut crop in total dollar value and acreage. They rank as the seventh largest U.S. food export. Approximately 6,000 almond growers produce 100 percent of the commercial domestic supply and more than 70 percent of worldwide production. Over 90 nations import California almonds. Overseas, Germany is the largest market for almonds, consuming about 25 percent of the export crop, followed by Japan at about 12 percent. Other major importers include the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, India and Spain. The Pacific Rim nations are a rapidly growing market for California almonds.