Nuts are an amazing snack, addition to a meal, or a base for many vegan-friendly dishes. They are a great source of protein, iron, and magnesium, but most importantly, they taste amazing. However, there are a few key factors as to why our bodies don’t naturally digest them so easily. Follow this guide to ensure that you absorb all the nutrients of nuts as easily and deliciously as you can.
Enzymes and Phytic Acid
Nuts have high amounts of enzymes, which makes them difficult to digest. However, by soaking them beforehand, you can neutralize the enzymes so they can be broken down by our bodies. Phytic acid is also found in nuts, and if not neutralized with water, can bind with minerals inside your digestive tract and block the absorption of the other nutrients found in nuts.
Cleaning
Depending on where you get your nuts, they can be very dirty or even have been sprayed with pesticides during the growing process. This is another reason why you should stay on the safe side and soak your nuts.
How Long?
Although the longer the better, from 7-12 hours, any amount of time that nuts have contact with water is more beneficial than not. If you want to speed up the process, use boiled water to help the process move along.
