Whether you eat them by the handful or flick them in your mouth one by one, nuts are undeniably delicious. These tasty little superfoods make a powerful and convenient addition to any diet. However, what most people don’t realize is that nuts and seeds can be difficult to digest if not prepared properly. If done properly, these gems contain proteins, minerals, and healthy fats that are essential to health.
Raw nuts contain phytic acid, which serves as a natural protectant for plants. When consumed by humans, it binds to minerals in the gastrointestinal tract, causing irritation and the potential for nutritional deficiencies, in addition to rendering the beneficial nutrients unable to be assimilated by the body. Roasted nuts may seem appealing but commercially roasted nuts are usually flash fried in cheap, rancid oils and dry roasted nuts are exposed to extremely high temperatures that denature the nutrients.
The answer: The phytates and enzyme inhibitors that make nuts indigestible can be easily neutralized by soaking in water and low temperature dehydrating. This process works to break down irritating compounds, while preserving the beneficial fats and proteins. In sum, soaking and drying at low temperatures increases enzyme activity, enhances nutrient bioavailability, and eases digestion.
The question has finally been answered!
So I hope I have cleared that up and maybe even answered some questions that people have about why and how.