Should you soak nuts for better nutrition? Do you soak nuts? Do you even know what we're talking about? Do we even know what we're talking about? Letβs talk our way through this and see if we can figure this out together.
If you make your own almond milk you know that soaking the nuts overnight makes it easier to break down the almonds in the blender, so you get a smooth and creamy milk.
The same is true for cashews when you make cashew cream, but did you know that some people believe that you should soak nuts and then dehydrate them before eating them whole?
According to some raw food proponents and holistic food experts, you should soak raw nuts in order to break down the shell of the nut for easier digestion and better absorption of nutrients.
The scientific reasoning behind this theory has to do with the phytic acid found in nuts, seeds, and grains.
Phytic Acid
Phytic acid is the principal storage form of phosphorous.
During the digestion process, phytic acid binds minerals in the digestive tract which inhibits the absorption of certain minerals, such as iron and zinc, calcium, magnesium and manganese.
However, soaking nuts for at least four hours before consuming them can remove up to two-thirds of the phytic acid, making the nuts more nutrient friendly and easier to digest.
But hereβs the thing, while soaking nuts can help the body absorb certain minerals, the process of soaking also results in the loss of minerals, water-extractable proteins and vitamins.
So whatβs the right answer when it comes to the proper way to prepare and consume nuts?
The reality is that phytic acid is found in all plants.
If youβre eating plants, youβre eating phytate, which means that you should eat as much iron and zinc rich foods as possible if you donβt soak nuts.
Additionally, if you donβt eat a lot of nuts, then youβre probably fine not soaking them if you eat a lot of green leafy vegetables every day.
The good news is that a healthy and well-functioning body is good at regulating phytic acid and balancing the gut.
Potential Benefits of Phytic Acid
There are some studies that indicate that phytic acid isnβt all bad.
Research has shown that phytates have anti-inflammatory properties and have been shown to help normalize cell growth and stop the growth of cancer cells. They are also thought to help protect against cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Benefits of Soaking
- Breaks down the shell of the nut for easier digestion
- Breaks down phytic acid for better absorption of minerals, such as iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and manganese
- Nuts are easier to chew
Benefits of Phytic Acid
- Anti-inflammatory
- Helps to normalize cell growth and prevent growth of cancer cells
- Helps to protect against cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Now that youβre totally confused about the best way to consume nuts, letβs talk about balance.
In our opinion (remember, this is our opinion, not medical advice), if you eat a well-balanced diet thatβs rich in leafy greens and colorful fruits and vegetables you could probably get away with not soaking nuts.
However, if you donβt consume foods that are rich in iron and zinc, or if you have an iron deficiency, then you would probably be wise to soak nuts.
Also, if you have a hard time digesting nuts and/or chewing them, soaking would most likely help with those issues.
Because we donβt have an iron deficiency or any issues with digestion, we donβt always soak nuts.
Soaking and Dehydrating Nuts
Cover in purified water and soak for at least four hours. We prefer to soak them in the refrigerator if soaking overnight.
Discard nuts that float to the top as they may be rancid.
Drain and rinse the nuts.
If youβre not going to eat them immediately you must dry them with a dehydrator or in the oven to avoid mold.
Soaking Times Dehydrating Time in Oven
Almonds: 6-8 hours 170Β° for 12 hours or until completely dry
Cashews: 2-4 hours 200Β° for 12 hours or until completely dry
Walnuts: 4-8 hours 170Β° for 12 hours or until completely dry
Hazelnuts: 4-8 hours 170Β° for 12 hours or until completely dry
Pecans: 6-8 hours 170Β° for 12 hours or until completely dry
Peanuts: 8-12 hours 170Β° for 12 hours or until completely dry
If youβre dehydrating in a dehydrator follow the instructions on your specific dehydrator.
Storing
Store the completely dry nuts in an airtight container in the freezer for no more than three months.
Make sure that there isnβt any moisture left in the nuts after you dehydrate them or they could get moldy and make you sick.
One more thingβ¦.
We always buy organic nuts, whether theyβre raw or dry roasted, because we donβt want to eat nuts that have been treated with toxic propylene oxide (PPO) gas.
Raw nuts are pasteurized to protect consumers from salmonella, which means that companies either steam pasteurize, or they use PPO.
Even dry roasted and chocolate covered nuts are subjected to the process. Check out this guide for more information.
If you have problems digesting and/or chewing nuts, or if you have an iron or zinc deficiency, you might want to consider soaking them.
Resources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2266880/
http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-phytates-phytic-acid
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400758/Are-Phytates-Bad-or-Good.html
http://foodidentitytheft.com/trying-to-avoid-almonds-that-are-gassed-heres-a-little-guide/
Always consult a doctor if you have questions or concerns about your health or diet. Needed to be said because we live in a litigious society. π
Craig says
Hello, I have been trying to find the answer to whether or not soaking raw, blanched peanuts overnight (8-10 hours) reduces their calories. It seems logical that soaking peanuts would reduce calories. However, I haven't been able to confirm this anywhere, let alone learn the actual amount of calorie reduction, if any.
Linda & Alex says
Hi Craig, that's a good question and one we don't have an answer to. If we discover one, we'll certainly let you know.
Happy New Year!
Cristina says
Hi Craig!
I've read that soaking nuts and seeds ("for too long" it said) denaturates their oil in the water, so they will have less oil at the end of it. That means that yes, they will have less calories. Now for the amount of it, you can feel if you test it. For example, I feel a distinct difference for Brazil Nuts soaked overnight vs not soaked. I think it depends on the nut and how much you overdo it.
All the best! π
Eldwin Cheung says
yeah i agree on the point that it's like a food fight when it comes to health - it feels like there's always an agenda behind each and every statement...
to me: phytates...well, if they're the principal storage mechanism of phosphorus for legumes, then doesn't that mean we can get our phosphorus intake from phytates? this is me thinking out loud. ppl regard it as an antinutrient, but what if it itself is a nutrient for phosphorus? Healthline mentions it's an antioxidant (but then again, antioxidants feel like another food wars topic).
i do feel that soaking cashews has an unintended benefit of sticking less to your teeth, which is good for cleaner pearls π
Linda Meyer says
Hi Edwin, thanks for your comment. We agree, the science changes, and you could be right. And, yes for pearly whites! π
Cristina says
The phosphorus in phytic acid cannot be absorbed well by the body, I've read, so it's not actually a source of phosphorus for us, humans.
Cheers!
Linda & Alex says
Thank you, Cristina!