almonds

Almonds for a Healthy Heart

In previous posts we’ve covered the health benefits of a couple different nuts:

Heart-Smart Pistachios
Walnuts Equal Healthier Blood Vessels

Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients that provide heart health benefits, such as fiber, protein, and certain minerals.

Let’s turn our attention to almonds.

Almonds are a good source of monounsaturated fat. This is a heart healthy fat in that it does not cause an insulin response or lead to increases in blood cholesterol. A study has shown a decrease in cholesterol levels, including LDL cholesterol, when almonds are consumed as a regular part of the diet.

Almonds also provide vitamin E in the form of gamma tocopherol and glutathione. Both of these nutrients act as antioxidants to prevent cellular damage associated with free radicals.

Almonds also contain calcium to support bone and tooth health, along with healthy blood pressure levels.

A one-ounce, 164-calorie serving of almonds, not only provides vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and calcium, but also magnesium, fiber, protein, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.

Add Almonds to Your Diet

Here are a few tips for adding almonds to your diet:
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2 Foods to Lower Cholesterol

To begin promoting lower cholesterol you want to replace these less healthy food choices with heart healthy options.

Here are 2 foods you can add to your diet to promote a lower cholesterol:

1. Atlantic Salmon

Salmon is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3’s have many benefits, some of which include decreased lipoprotein A, lowered triglycerides, reduced blood pressure, elevated HDL cholesterol, and decreased risk of blot clots.

Some additional sources of omega 3 include fish, ground flaxseed, and walnuts.

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