A key ingredient to most Indian delicacies, almond might be effective in guarding against common viral infections like common cold and flu along with reducing inflammation, a recent study has revealed.

Researchers have found that the naturally occurring chemicals present in the almond skin might prove beneficial in fending off viral infections and boosting immune system [complex network of specialized cells and organs that work together to defend the body against attacks by ] altogether.

According to the findings published in the journal 'Immunology Letters,' these compounds may improve the ability of body's fighter cells or white blood cells to counteract foreign bodies like viruses.

It does so by increasing one's ability to obstruct viruses from replicating and spreading throughout the body.

The study also found that even after digestion of the nut, it was able to trigger immune response against invading microorganisms, the Reuters Health reported on Tuesday.

Study details and findings
For the study purpose, researchers from the Institute of Food Research in Norwich and the Policlinico Universitario in Messina, Italy tested the effect of almond skin extract on immunological compounds released by cells infected or not infected with genital herpes [a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus] virus HSV-2.

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 is a sexually transmitted virus which is difficult-to-treat due to its ability to trick the immune system by dampening down the body's inflammatory response.

"The addition of natural almond skins to the cells led to a significant decrease in HSV-2 replication, whereas other extracts did not significantly influence the replication of the virus," the study authors stated.

Study presenter Dr. Giuseppina Mandalari said that almonds may have a "helpful impact on the treatment of infective and chronic diseases" and "are able to stimulate the immune response and thus contribute to an antiviral immune defence."

On the other hand, blanched almonds, where almond skin is removed by boiling in water, were found to have a lesser effect on the immune system.

More research needed
Though researchers are not clear as to which compounds in the almond skin possess antiviral activity, but propose that it could be polyphenols.

Dr Martin Wickham, who was also involved in the study at the Institute of Food Research, said, "It is an area of huge interest to find natural alternatives that will have an antiviral activity.

"Nutritional guidelines recommend eating around three ounces a day to benefit from the fibre and other nutritional components in almonds, but we have still to do the work to see whether this would be enough to have an antiviral affect.

"This was just an initial study to find out if almond skins have this antiviral activity.

"The herpes simplex virus is a very good model of viral infection
because it is known to evade the immune system, so because the almonds had an impact on this virus, it is fair to assume that it will have an impact on other viruses," Wickham added.