According to the Huffington Post, researchers at the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center found that when tree nuts, including almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, and pistachios, are consumed on a regular basis, the risk of developing metabolic syndrome is decreased by 5% and the risk of developing heart disease is decreased significantly. Additionally, the Mayo Clinic reports that when eaten along with other heart-healthy foods, nuts can reduce the risk of blood clots that can lead to heart attack. If you’re at risk for cardiovascular disease or have cardiovascular disease, tree nuts should most definitely be a part of your heart healthy diet.
Tree Nut Facts
Tree nuts and most types of nuts, including ground nuts, contain unsaturated fats, which are considered “good” fats. The unsaturated fats in nuts lower your LDL cholesterol levels. High LDL cholesterol levels are one of the primary causes of cardiovascular disease. One type of healthy fat that most nuts contain is omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids work as a blood thinner, and they help regulate your heartbeat. So, these healthy fats help prevent dangerous blood clots and threatening heart rhythm disruptions.
In addition to the unsaturated, healthy fat that nuts offer, they are also high in fiber. Fiber lowers LDL cholesterol levels and even helps prevent diabetes. To top it all off, most kinds of tree nuts are rich in Vitamin E, which has been shown to halt the development of plaque in heart arteries.
Keep in mind that you’ll get the most nutritional benefit from raw, unsalted nuts. Heavily salted nuts aren’t the best option if you’re concerned about your blood pressure. The best thing about nuts is that they don’t require any preparation to eat. If you’re craving a snack, you can just open up a bag of almonds or walnuts and enjoy the delicious flavor and heart healthy benefits!
Sources:
- “Tree Nuts Stave Off Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Obesity, Claims Study,” Krysty Hazell, Huffington Post UK
- “Nuts and your heart: Eating nuts for your heart health,” Mayo Clinic
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