Eating Walnuts Can Protect Your Blood Vessels
In a study done by Spanish scientists, they establish that eating walnuts can protect your blood vessels. In the research done, the scientists asked the participants to eat a 1,200 calorie lunch. The people consumed the unhealthy extra-large salami sandwich included in the lunch.
After the lunch, they were made to take either olive oil (5 teaspoons) or walnuts.
The result of the tests showed that both the nuts and the olive oil reduced arterial inflammation caused by the salami sandwich. But only the walnuts improved blood-vessel elasticity. A key indicator of cardiovascular health is elasticity.
The study found that the antioxidants and nutrients in walnuts help the arteries remain elastic, which prevents them from hardening.
Another great thing about walnuts is that they have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which other nuts don’t have according to American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Suzanne Farrell, MS, RD. Omega-3 fatty acids lower levels of triglycerides.
Also, in another study it was found that on average, people who took walnuts had their bad LDL cholesterol dropped by 10% while increasing their good cholesterol. The results of this study were published Diabetes Care journal.