Almond Skins Strengthen Immune System To Battle Viruses

British and Italian researchers have found that naturally occurring chemicals – probably polyphenols – found in the skin of almonds strengthen the immune system and help the body ward off viral infections such as the cold and flu. Natural – but not blanched – almond skins boosted the capability of white blood cells to detect viruses, including the herpes simplex virus type 2, and prevent them from replicating and spreading. The phenomenon occurred even after the almond skins were digested by gastric juices in the lab. The herpes simplex virus is an especially difficult virus to eradicate because it is able to elude the immune system by diminishing the body's response to inflammation.