Introduction
Dry fasting has been gaining popularity, with people leaving behind soaked nuts on an empty stomach. Nowadays, more and more people state their intention to fast and provide justification for such a choice, as there are enough claims of various health benefits. Despite the dearth of scientific data directly attributing the influence of soaked nuts on the process of digestion while the stomach is empty, one can uncover the known implications of nut consumption on the digestive system and further consider the process through the prism of existing knowledge about physiology.
Which Nuts Require Soaking the Most?
Soaking different types of nuts is among the common practices of throwing nuts before consumption with the purpose of improving their digestibility and nutrient-absorbing properties. The most frequently soaked nuts include:
Almonds: Almonds tend to be on the nut list, and they naturally possess enzyme inhibitors that are bad enough for digestion. Soaking washes away the inhibitors acts as a pre-digestive process, lessening the toughness.
Walnuts: The soaking of walnuts is widely claimed to help lower their phytic acid level. Phytic acid is a natural component of minerals like iron and zinc, rendering them unavailable for the body to absorb. Sometimes, nuts tend to be quite hard to chew and grind into pieces. Here, the process goes a step further to make nuts after grinding them into a softer version.
Cashews: But not as rigid nuts as all the others; the cashews only soak to provide a crunchy character that is also easier for digestion. It is especially suitable for those with sensitive digestive systems.
Pecans: They are soaked to allow their basis to be more crunchy, and in this way, all the nutrients in the nuts are more accessible for absorption by the body.
Pistachios: Soaking pistachios, like many other nuts, is thought to help decrease phytic acid content and improve the bioaccessibility of essential nutrients.
Unlike cashews, almonds, and walnuts, which are the most commonly soaked nuts, this practice has the potential to be effective on many other types of nuts, including hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, and even Brazil nuts. Nonetheless, it becomes necessary for people to bear in mind that not all nuts require soaking, as well as the fact that different food preferences and some other physical or dietary features may differ.
What Is the Benefit of Eating Soaked Nuts on an Empty Stomach?
Eating soaked nuts on an empty stomach is believed to offer several potential benefits, according to proponents of this practice:
1. Enhanced Nutrient Absorption: The human anatomy may principally function to dissolve the nutrients from the nuts into the body, and given that it is not in the company of other foods, the stomach can easily perform this. This is due to the fact that it helps to make the best use of the lots of good substances in the nuts, like the health oils, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
2. Improved Digestion: It is postulated that the dissolving mixture can overcome the action of enzyme inhibitors and phytic acid found in nuts, as these compounds can hinder digestion. Thus, nuts, after soaking, can be easier to digest by decreasing the amount of anti-nutrients, which may be problematic for some people with digestive issues or those who do not require digestibility.
3. Regulated Blood Sugar Levels: It is claimed that gobbling nuts on an empty stomach might be the solution with the use of nut's good fats and protein, which can provide a stable means of energy without the risks of the uncontrolled rise of the blood glucose level. Such side effects can stand out, especially for people who suffer from metabolic diseases (diabetes) or who are taking low-carbohydrate diets.
4. Increased Satiety: The synergistic effect of consuming nutrients like healthy fats, proteins, and fiber in soaked nuts is an aid to the fullness and satisfaction felt, which may help in difficult times of appetite regulation and weight management.
5. Potential for Better Absorption of Phytochemicals: The phytochemicals in nuts that have antioxidant properties and plant compounds that potentially have health advantages may be easily absorbed by the body when they are consumed on an empty stomach and without competition with other foods.
Is It Necessary to Discard the Soaking Water?
Yes, in most cases, it is advised to drain the water in which nuts were soaked before eating them. The reason for this practice is that the soaked water around the grains can be in the form of anti-nutrients and compounds that could deny the digestion process and absorption of nutrients.
Tannic acid, some other phytic acids, and inhibitors of enzymes extracted from nuts may dissolve in water during the soaking process. These compounds are well-known for combining minerals that are harmful to the stomach and allowing proteins and other nutrients to be fully absorbed. Eliminating the soaking water from the equation virtually removes the undesirable substances, allowing nutrition to fully assume its role of making nuts easily digestible and, consequently, the nutrients more bioavailable for utilization by the body.
Further, if the water that leaked out during soaking contained compounds that could otherwise lead to digestive discomfort or induce allergic reactions in some people, it would also be risky. Consequently, this method is perceived as a safer one, where one needs to wash the nuts off in fresh water and throw away the soaking liquid before the nuts can be eaten.
How Long Should the Nuts Be Soaked?
The duration of soaking for nuts tends not to be fixed but usually falls between 12 hours and the ideal time frame for maximizing diversity as well as tailoring to one's taste in the specific qualities of the nut.
To illustrate, the harder nuts, like almonds and hazelnuts, would usually require hours of soaking for their interiors to soften and enzyme inhibitors to be released. On the other side, the situation would be harder for the saturates, liclicashepecans, and stachios to need four to six hours of soaking.
It is necessary to mention that over-soaking nuts can make them super soft, lose their crunchiness, and may result in nutrient depletion as well. Hence, this reflects the process of finding that delicate balance in order for the expected texture to result and for the soaking of the beans to be toxic.
Generally, the longer the nuts are soaked, the better, and it may also vary from one person to another in terms of nut freshness and the desired result (for example, softness of texture for easy digestion or crispiness for snacks). By trying several soaking times and monitoring the results, one can find the best time required for their particular case.
Are There Any Potential Drawbacks to Eating Soaked Nuts on an Empty Stomach?
Yes, there are definitely some negative aspects to eating soaked nuts on an empty stomach. Although soaking nuts brings some benefits, such as improvements in digestibility and nutrient absorbability, many people still find this method unsuitable, and this practice could create some health problems.
1. Digestive Discomfort: Some eaters, after imbibing just water with nuts in a state of empty stomach, may get gases, indigestions, and bloating. This might be the result of a number of factors, e.g., high-fiber consumability or reaction to specific nutritional components contained in nuts.
2. Nutrient Dilution: Thus, making nuts leach a few water-soluble vitamins and minerals could take away from what they offer in terms of their nutrient content. Soaking might increase the absorption of certain nutrients, which is a valuable aspect; however, the drawback is the possible nutrient dilution effect of long soaking or significant water changes.
3. Potential for Mold Growth: Molds build up on nuts and are prone to molding if they are not properly washed and soaked. This has a great impact in areas with temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Molds can cause problems for one's health and, in particular, can result in allergic reactions or respiratory difficulties when vulnerable people are involved.
4. Caloric Intake: Despite nuts being considered a superfood for being nutrient-rich foods full of healthy fats, protein, and fiber, they are also high in calories. Consuming a large amount that has not been allowed to be soaked overnight without thinking about the portion could grow in the stomach and, as time goes by, could lead to obesity.
5. Delayed Nutrient Absorption: When eating nuts, there is a possibility of dehydrating the absorption of vital nutrients for most foods compared to taking similar nuts along with foods. It would be a potential issue even for those who need a fast way to put food in their stomach right after waking up.
However, it is worth highlighting that individual reactions to eating raw nuts after skipping meals plainly depend on factors like dietary norms, pre-existing digestive health, and the personal preferences of an individual.
Conclusion
Nut ingestion should be preceded by soaking, especially if done on an empty stomach. This may present various advantages, like better absorption of nutrients, efficient digestibility, and the minimization of enzyme inhibitors. Nevertheless, scientific research giving detailed information about the absorbability of nuts soaked with water, specifically on an empty stomach, is limited, but anecdotal evidence, along with knowledge of nut digestion, recommends the possible benefits of an empty stomach when taking soaked nuts. On the other hand, one's personal experience can be different, and thus, a person should trust their own body and ask for help from healthcare professionals if there is any question or individual requirement. When trying to eat nuts, make them soaked, and this will give the planned diet a mouthwatering supplement that is also extremely nutritious and filled with all the nutrients one could need, as well as providing benefits for generally good health.
