Lower Blood Pressure

Eating Nuts Can Lower Cholesterol Levels

Most of us know that a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products will keep us healthy.

But now we should also take a much closer look at the health benefits of nuts.

Until recently, nuts were regarded as a high energy or high fat food and so their consumption was limited or even avoided.

But diet specialists have now shown that nuts are a wonderful wide ranging source of nutrients and protective non-nutrients. Just a small handful of nuts every day will protect your heart and has far reaching benefits on health.

Nuts contain high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids with a much smaller proportion of damaging saturated fatty acids.

Nuts also contain omega 3 fatty acids, which are important for cardiovascular health and the growth and function of the nervous tissue.

Nuts have other health promoting compounds including plant proteins, dietary fibre (both soluble and insoluble) vitamins like E and niacin, minerals like copper, magnesium, potassium and zinc, plant sterols, and phytochemicals.

There is a long list of health benefits associated with regular consumption of nuts.

There is convincing evidence to show that nuts can modify your cholesterol lipid profile favourably by increasing the good cholesterol, (HDL) and lowering the bad cholesterol (LDL). They also lower total cholesterol (especially in subjects with high cholesterol levels) and may reduce risk of coronary artery disease.

So - what are you waiting for? Go nuts and change your diet today.