You may want to start including tree nuts in your daily diet, because a new study indicates that they are good for your heart. Yamini Walia tells you more
A study that was recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicated that tree nuts contain certain nutrients that are beneficial for your heart. The study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials that were performed by researchers from Stanford University, to investigate the effects of tree nuts such as almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts on blood lipids, lipoproteins, blood pressure and inflammation, for those who are over 18-years-old, and do not suffer from prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD). As a result, tree nut consumption lowered the total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and its primary apolipoprotein, ApoB.
Liana Del Gobbo, lead author of the study, explains, “Our findings, showing that nut intake lowers LDL cholesterol, ApoB and triglycerides in clinical trials provide mechanistic evidence to support this relationship.”
Additionally, nuts contain important nutrients that are required for a healthy diet such as unsaturated fats, high-quality protein, vitamins (i.e., vitamin E, folate and niacin), minerals (i.e., magnesium, calcium and potassium) and phytochemicals — all of which contain numerous cardio protective properties.
Moreover, Maureen Ternus, executive director of the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation (INC NREF), explains, “This new analysis provides further support that nuts should be part of a heart-healthy diet. Just 1.5 ounces of nuts per day (about 1/3 cup) can provide many of the important vitamins, minerals and energy that we need throughout the day.”