31.10.2017 · 👁 1,976
The benefits of almonds for the heart and blood vessels have been confirmed
A diet rich in nuts helps increase the level of “good” cholesterol in the blood and improve its cleansing function in the body.
The results of a study conducted by scientists from Pennsylvania State University (USA) were published in the Journal of Nutrition.
Previous studies have shown that regular consumption of almonds helps reduce low-density lipoprotein ("bad" cholesterol, LDL) levels in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers led by Penny Kris-Etherton decided to study exactly how almonds affect high-density lipoprotein (“good” cholesterol, HDL).
The function of HDL is to collect excess cholesterol in cells and tissues and transport it to the liver for processing and elimination from the body. Thus, HDL cleans the walls of blood vessels from plaques - accumulations of “bad” cholesterol, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. "Good" cholesterol is divided into five categories, depending on the size of the molecules and their maturity, from preβ-1 to α-1. The more large, mature α-1 molecules in the blood, the better HDL cholesterol performs its cleansing and protective functions, the lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The function of HDL is to collect excess cholesterol in cells and tissues and transport it to the liver for processing and elimination from the body. Thus, HDL cleans the walls of blood vessels from plaques - accumulations of “bad” cholesterol, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. "Good" cholesterol is divided into five categories, depending on the size of the molecules and their maturity, from preβ-1 to α-1. The more large, mature α-1 molecules in the blood, the better HDL cholesterol performs its cleansing and protective functions, the lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Kris-Etherton and her colleagues conducted an experiment in which 48 men and women with elevated levels of “bad” cholesterol in their blood took part. They all went on a diet two times for two weeks. Both times their diet was the same, except that the first time they received a handful (43 grams) of almonds per day, and the second time they received a banana muffin. At the end of each period, the researchers monitored HDL cholesterol in the participants' blood and compared the results with the levels obtained before the experiment.
Scientists found that the almond diet resulted in a 19% increase in α-1 HDL, the healthiest form of good cholesterol, in participants' blood, leading to a 6.4% improvement in cholesterol function.
As Kris-Etherton noted, although almonds do not reduce the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases to zero, this product is quite effective and therefore should definitely be included in your diet, especially for people at risk. Among other things, these nuts are a source of healthy fats, vitamin E and fiber.
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