Regular intake of a handful of almonds increased levels of mature HDL or “good cholesterol” particles, which are associated with cardiovascular health, by 19%.
According to a recent study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, almonds may not only increase blood levels of HDL ,good cholesterol, but also boost the transport of bad blood cholesterol to the liver.
Previous studies have already shown that the small oleaginous fruit – which is not a true nut – has the capacity to reduce blood levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), which is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
Over a period of six weeks, researchers at Pennsylvania State University monitored two groups of patients with high levels of bad cholesterol.
The first group of patients consumed 43 grams of almonds per day, the equivalent of a generous handful, whereas the members of the second group were given a banana muffin.
