strokes and type 2 diabetes, the results were not as clear.
Nuts do not appear to affect blood pressure, according to Arnesen. Researchers could not determine whether they affect blood sugar.
But eating nuts is linked to improved cholesterol levels, even though the review can’t actually prove cause and effect.
“Thanks to this systematic review and meta-analysis, we can present a more precise estimate of the actual effects. Proving that nuts lower cholesterol levels provides a credible explanation for why there is a connection between eating nuts and the risk of cardiovascular disease,” Arnesen adds.
It may be that the composition of fatty acids in nuts is beneficial for this.
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“Even though nuts cannot be used to treat high cholesterol, we believe that the effect is significant enough to be used as a preventive measure amongst the general population,” Arnesen says.
In a nutshell, regularly consuming nuts can:
- Improve artery health
- Reduce inflammation related to heart disease
- Decrease the risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes
- Lower the risk of high blood pressure
- Lower the risk of early death due to heart disease
- Lower unhealthy cholesterol levels, specifically low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides, which can clog arteries
Eating nuts for heart health offer many benefits. They contain unsaturated fats and other nutrients. They are also a great snack because they are inexpensive, easy to store and great for on the go. So the next time you head to the grocery store, don’t forget to grab some of you favorite nuts. Just remember to limit your portions to avoid over consumption.