When you feel like you need something to snack on but want to make sure that your choice is both healthy and satisfying, you can’t go wrong with nuts. They are chock full of healthy fats as well as energizing proteins. Add in the fact that there is a diverse choice to choose from, and you can see that you can’t go wrong.
A recent study focused on one form of nut specifically—walnuts—and the data suggested that these omega-3 packed powerhouses are not to be overlooked. The study was published in the flagship journal Circulation, of the American Heart Association. The data showed that walnuts might actually aid in reducing LDL, otherwise known as bad, levels of cholesterol. This lowering of cholesterol could also work to lower the risk of heart disease.
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In the study, researchers observed healthy adults between the ages of 63-79, 68% of which were listed as female, who were required to eat one-half cup of walnuts each day over two years. The data was then compared to a separate subject group that did not consume the walnuts.
The study results indicated that those individuals who were tasked with eating the walnuts saw a somewhat modest reduction in their low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol. No average, the individuals who consumed the walnuts had LDL readings that were 4.3% lower than those of the group that did not eat the walnuts. The results were higher for men, at a 7.9% reduction of LDL levels, while women only saw a 2.6% decrease.
Mia Syn, MS, RD says:
“This is a good study to help demonstrate and reiterate the benefits of incorporating good fats into your diet on your heart health, like those found in walnuts. However, it is important to note that no one food has the ability to make or break your overall health.”