Why we've all gone nuts over almonds

Numerous clinical studies conducted over the last 13 years have shown that a handful of almonds a day as part of a diet low in saturated fat helps to lower cholesterol levels and keep your heart healthy. (That's about 23 nuts, in case you're wondering what constitutes a handful).

Almonds were – and still are – popular ingredients in lotions and potions that cleanse, exfoliate, moisturise and nourish. And once scoffed, the vitamin E in almonds (a similar amount to that found in broccoli and green tea) helps our skin and hair stay radiant, while the calcium, magnesium and zinc look after the rest of us - though it's in the eating where almonds rule.

And you shouldn't do without almonds when you are on the go, either. Think about carrying a 30g portion in your handbag – far healthier than munching on a bag of crisps or a chocolate bar when the hunger pangs strike.

Plus, you'll feel full for longer than scoffing either of the latter – almonds increase satiety, and may play a valuable role in weight management (dieters take note). In fact, one ounce of almonds contains only one gram of saturated fat and 13 grams of good mono and polyunsaturated fats.