High levels of cholesterol can lay the groundwork for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, keeping the fatty substance at bay could also reduce your risk of the major killer. Fortunately, research finds a small food that could do this with gusto.
Furthermore, the small crunchy snacks also slashed the risk of dying from a heart attack by a quarter.
Erik Arnesen, the first author of the study, said: “If you eat a handful of nuts every day, that is around 30 grams, you will have a 20 to 25 percent lower risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease.
“In comparison, adults in the Nordic countries only eat on average around four grams of nuts a day. Many do not eat nuts or seeds at all.”
Nordic countries aren’t the only ones guilty of eating small amounts, as Britons eat just six grams of nuts a day, while Americans eat just one gram, on average.
The University of Oslo and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm team reviewed 60 studies to assess whether there was a link between nut and seed consumption and the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Looking at 1.9 million participants, the research was carried out to contribute to new Nordic dietary guidelines.
The results showed that those who had a “high” seed and nut consumption – the equivalent of around 30 grams or a handful – were as much as 25 percent less likely to suffer cardiovascular disease and 23 percent less likely to die from it.
Those who consumed more nuts were also 18 percent less likely to develop heart disease and 25 percent less likely to die from it.
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Interestingly, almonds, pistachios and walnuts seemed to be the most potent nuts when it came to lowering cholesterol.
Walnuts are believed to contain a significant amount of plant-based essential omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which has been previously shown to contribute to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.
But Mr Arnesen insisted that there is no conclusive evidence that people should be recommended one type of nuts over other.
However, the researchers said that the more you eat the better for your health.
While the research proved beneficial for cholesterol, the team was unable to confirm whether nuts can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and strokes.
Mr Arnesen said: “We are not sure about this. Nuts do not appear to affect blood pressure, which is one of the risk factors behind strokes.
“We cannot be sure whether nuts are good for blood sugar levels either, which are linked to the risk of diabetes type 2.”
The researchers concluded that while nuts can’t treat high cholesterol, their effect is significant enough to be used as a preventative measure among the general population.
