By: Mat Lecompte | Bel Marra Health
Next time you reach for your daily apple, pick up a handful of nuts as well. It could do your heart some good.
Scandinavian researchers reviewed 60 studies and found a strong association between nut consumption and heart disease and the risk of heart attacks.
They found that as little as a handful of nuts—which is about 30 grams—every day could lower the risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease by 20 to 25%. The researchers found that more nuts are better, but that eating just a few nuts per day is better than none.
Was there a magic nut to focus on? Not really, they said. Although almonds, pistachios, and walnuts appeared to be the best at lowering cholesterol, they found no conclusive evidence to recommend some nuts over others.
That’s great news for you because you can pick the nuts that taste best to you and likely enjoy their heart-health benefits. Here are a couple words of advice, however.
Although commonly thought of as a nut, peanuts are actually legumes. They’re also extremely healthy and offer many of the benefits that nuts do. However, they aren’t in the nut family.
Lastly, nuts dipped in chocolate or candied would likely see their benefits nullified by the high levels of sugar in the candy. So if you’re going to benefit from eating nuts, select raw, roasted, and/or unsalted varieties without the candy layer.
Nuts seem to benefit cholesterol levels in the blood, which is important to keep low so that fat doesn’t build up in arterial walls—a process called atherosclerosis, which is one of the biggest risk factors for heart attacks.
It’s important to note that the study didn’t prove that nut consumption improved cholesterol, just that there was a strong association.
It’s also important to note that nuts can’t be used as a primary treatment for high cholesterol. However, they may have the ability to help prevent high cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease among the general population.
* * *
NEXT UP!
B Vitamins: Your Brain’s Natural Repair Kit
Exfoliation is essential to improve a dull complexion and brighten, firm, and smooth skin. However, equally important—if not more so—is boosting collagen production. In this article, Wu Duojia, specializing in body aesthetics at Taiwan’s Fengze Chinese Medicine Clinic, shares traditional Chinese medicine’s (TCM) four main approaches to achieving brighter and firmer skin.
Many different ingredients can be found in the skin care market. No matter the formula, most skin care products aim to accelerate skin cell metabolism so that the skin can regenerate quickly, revealing bright new skin beneath the old. Ms. Wu said that, similarly, TCM aims to do this through “clearing” and “tonifying.”
* * *
READ MORE: Why Do Those Who Don’t Drink Alcohol Have Liver Cancer?
Interesting! What Happens When You Eat An Avocado A Day?
Telegram: Stay connected and get the latest updates by following us on Telegram!
We’d love to hear from you! If you have a comment about this article or if you have a tip for a future Collective Spark Story please let us know below in the comment section.