Almonds are a source of good fats, vitamin E, and fiber. In this new study of 48 men and women with elevated LDL—the “bad”—cholesterol, almonds promoted an especially beneficial larger form of HDL, the “good” cholesterol, called “alpha-1 HDL.” Participants ate an identical diet with 1.5 ounces of almonds per day, or a banana muffin with the same calories instead. After six weeks, alpha-1 HDL levels were 19 percent higher for the almond group but unchanged in the banana muffin group. HDL collects cholesterol from cells to deposit in the liver to break down, a function that improved 6.4 percent for almonds.
Reference: The Journal of Nutrition; 2017, Vol. 147, No. 8, 1517-23
Natural Insights for Well Being December 2017