Why Nuts are Great for Heart Health (2024)

FAQs

Why Nuts are Great for Heart Health? ›

Nuts are a good source of protein. Most nuts also contain at least some of these heart-healthy substances: Unsaturated fats. It's not entirely clear why, but it's thought that the "good" fats in nuts — both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — lower bad cholesterol levels.

Nuts are beneficial to heart health because they tend to lower the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), otherwise known as "bad" cholesterol. LDL plays a major role in the development of the plaque that can build up in the blood vessels. Eating more nuts has also been linked to lower levels of inflammation.

Nuts like almonds, walnuts, or cashews and seeds such as sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or flaxseeds are great sources of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. They boost levels of HDL (or “good” cholesterol) while lowering LDL (“bad” cholesterol), and have also been shown to help reduce blood pressure.

Nuts. Nuts like almonds, pistachios and macadamias each bring something special to the table. Almonds help improve memory, pistachio nut oils help preserve fatty acids and prevent inflammation, and macadamias contribute to normal brain function. Yet, the top nut award certainly goes to the walnut.

Can eating too many nuts raise cholesterol? Yes, it is possible that eating nuts in excess may increase LDL cholesterol levels due to their saturated fat content. Eating nuts in excess may also exceed a person's daily calorie needs, leading to increased LDL cholesterol levels.

Because they are such a nutrient- and calorie-dense food, portion control is essential to avoid excess weight gain. More importantly, eating too many nuts can actually lead to food toxicity which can range from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Most nuts appear to be generally healthy. But some may have more heart-healthy nutrients than others. For example, walnuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans also appear to be quite heart healthy.

Of those studies, peanuts were the only nuts to which researchers found a statistically significant association between high and low consumption levels and decreased stroke risk.

Feeling bloated and gassy after eating too many nuts is quite common. You can blame the compounds present in the nuts for that. Most of the nuts contain compounds like phytates and tannins, which make it difficult for our stomach to digest them. Nuts also contain different kinds of fat, which can lead to diarrhea.

Clearly, almonds have the advantage when it comes to the powerful antioxidant Vitamin E, but walnuts offer a higher Omega-3 fatty acid content. The ALA Omega-3 fatty acids gained from walnuts are essential and tied to brain health, reduced inflammation, heart health, and more.

What is the number one healthiest nut? ›

1. Almonds. Relatively low in calories, almonds are an excellent food for health due to their protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Brazil nuts, cashews and macadamia nuts are higher in saturated fat. Too much of this can contribute to raised cholesterol levels, so only eat them occasionally. Chestnuts are an exception – they're lower in all types of fats and higher in starchy carbohydrate than other nuts.

Higher consumption of nuts has been associated with a reduced risk of several cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in prospective cohort studies, including a 19% and 25% lower risk of CVD incidence and mortality, respectively, and a 24% and 27% lower risk of coronary heart disease incidence and mortality, respectively.

Almonds and other tree nuts can improve blood cholesterol. Studies have shown that walnuts, which have omega-3 fats, may help protect the heart and lower the risk of heart attack for people who already have heart disease. All nuts are high in calories, so a handful added to a salad or eaten as a snack will do.

Almonds. Nuts -- especially these -- are good sources of vitamin E, a nutrient that research suggests may help protect against fatty liver disease. Almonds are good for your heart, too, so grab a handful the next time you feel like snacking. Or try them in salads, where they add a nice crunch.