779: Almonds | Skeptical Sunday

How do the environmental costs of producing almonds outweigh their nutritional benefits? Allow us to count the ways...

Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and fact-checker, comedian, and podcast host David C. Smalley break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions.

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/779

On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss:

• Almonds are one of the most misunderstood "health foods" of the modern era. • As of 2021, US consumption of almonds amounted to about 1.56 million metric tons worldwide, and Americans now consume more than 10 times as many almonds as in 1965. • Unfortunately, while they've become a staple of healthy diets, they are not • environmentally friendly.

• Almond milk is not a true dairy alternative and is mostly made of water, sugar, salt, emulsifiers, vitamins, and ascorbic acid • — and only two percent almonds.

• Almond farming requires bees to wake up early from hibernation to attend the crop season, and most of the bees rented by farmers die due to pesticides and diseases — up to 50 million per year.

• It takes from one to three gallons of water to produce just one almond. • That means, at the low end of the scale, one serving of almonds = 23 gallons of water, and one pound of almonds = 1900 gallons. 100 percent of the almonds you buy in the US, and 80 percent of almonds in the world, are produced in California — where there is already an issue with water shortages.

• How we can be more mindful of our almond consumption and support alternative products • that are more environmentally friendly.

• Connect with Jordan • on Twitter • , Instagram • , and YouTube • . If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at jordan@jordanharbinger.com • and let him know!

• Connect with David • at his website • , Twitter • , Instagram • , TikTok • , and YouTube • , and make sure to check out The David C. Smalley Podcast here • or wherever you enjoy listening to fine podcasts! If you like to get out of your house and catch live comedy, keep an eye on David's tour dates here • and text David directly at (424) 306-0798 for tickets when he comes to your town!

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