Smooth Like Almond Butter
“I’m smooth like almond butter, spreading on my toast. Quietly judging nothing, well, almost.”
The science behind the song
"Smooth Like Almond Butter" is the simplest pairing on the album: a neo-soul groove and a jar of almond butter. Almonds are a good source of vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant, alongside magnesium and predominantly monounsaturated fat, the same broad category of fat found in olive oil. Much of their polyphenol content sits in the skin itself, which is part of why almond butters made from whole, unblanched almonds carry a bit more of it through than skinned versions.
There's no elaborate mechanism behind this one. It's a straightforwardly nutrient-dense food, set to a groove that matches the jar's description of itself.
Key terms
Vitamin E. A fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect cell membranes from oxidative damage. Almonds are one of the richest dietary sources. Because it is fat-soluble, it is absorbed more effectively when consumed alongside dietary fat, which almonds conveniently provide.
Monounsaturated fat. A type of dietary fat with a single double bond in its chemical structure. Found in high concentrations in olive oil, almonds, avocados, and other nuts. Diets rich in monounsaturated fats are associated with cardiovascular health benefits and are a central feature of Mediterranean dietary patterns.
Polyphenols. A large family of naturally occurring plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In almonds, polyphenols are concentrated in the brown skin, which is why whole (unblanched) almonds and almond butters made from them retain more of these compounds than blanched versions.