Eating nuts for heart health

Some research suggests that eating nuts as part of a balanced diet can help lower your cholesterol and improve your heart health. Eating nuts can also reduce your risk of developing blood clots and improve the health of the lining of your arteries. What makes nuts so good for your heart?

• Unsaturated fats. Known as “good” fats, the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in nuts can help lower bad cholesterol levels.
• Omega-3 fatty acids. These essential acids, which are also found in fish, can prevent heart rhythms that may lead to a heart attack. Nuts are the best plant-based source of Omega-3s.
• L-arginine. This substance can make your artery walls more flexible and less prone to blood clots, and nuts are loaded with it!
• Fiber. While it’s great for weight management and your digestive system, fiber found in nuts can also help lower your cholesterol.
• Vitamin E. Some researchers still believe that vitamin E helps prevent plaque from building up in your arteries, which may prevent chest pain and heart attacks.

As you can see, nuts contain a lot of vitamins and nutrients that are good for your heart. However, they also contain a lot of calories, so you should practice moderation, especially if your goal is weight loss. It’s also important that you cut back on the saturated fats in your diet, even if you’re adding more unsaturated fats from nuts.