SAD LOVE QUOTES: Loving Almonds

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Loving Almonds

Love almonds with all your heart. Why? There is a growing body of research suggesting that almonds are a smart choice for meals and snacks because almonds have a heart healthy effect; they lower LDL (i.e. 'bad' cholesterol).

However, recently research is showing that almonds and nuts also have other beneficial effects in the body: maintaining cholesterol, decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, controlling blood sugar, and reducing the risk of developing metabolic syndrome X.

What is Metabolic Syndrome X? It is a term used to describe a group of heart disease risk factors, including high levels of abdominal fat, bad cholesterol, high blood pressure, and abnormal glucose metabolism.

Metabolic Syndrome is a growing concern among health professionals and organizations given the rising prevalence of overweight and obese people, because it develops as a person gains weight and becomes less sensitive to insulin produced in a body. It is also known as Insulin Resistance Syndrome. It is thought to run in families with a history of type 2 diabetes. It is a syndrome that can kill.

How can almonds help? There have been many studies investigating the effects of almond and nut consumption on heart disease.

According to researchers from the University of Toronto, almonds are part of a diet that may reduce 'bad' cholesterol. In just two weeks, individuals following a diet of whole foods including almonds, oatmeal, soy protein and plant-sterol containing foods, had a 35% decrease in their LDL cholesterol levels. This effect was just as significant as that seen with statin administration. Statin is a commonly prescribed pharmaceutical to lower cholesterol levels.

The most convincing scientific evidence supporting the heart healthy effects of almonds and nuts comes from an analysis of twenty existing studies on nut consumption. This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect nuts, as a whole, have in maintaining cholesterol. The meta-analysis included studies on walnuts , almonds , peanuts , pecans , macadamia nuts , hazelnuts, and pistachios. The conclusion was that nuts lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in subjects with both normal and elevated cholesterol.

A common concern with almonds is that they are thought to contribute to weight gain. This is likely not true. A recent study reported that almond consumption reduces the risk of coronary heart disease without causing weight gain. In fact, individuals with high cholesterol may enjoy a handful of almonds (e.g. about 23 nuts) a day, as part of a balanced diet for heart health. This study also noted that the risk of heart disease is lowered proportionately to the amount of nuts consumed. In other words, almonds have a dose-dependent response on heart disease risk.

Consuming almonds, with a meal that includes carbohydrate sources, may prevent blood sugar levels from rising too quickly and too high in both people with diabetes, and those without. This research is great news for those at risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome X, or who have diabetes.

Diabetes, heart disease and weight problems (e.g. obesity) alone, are large health problems in North America. This research indicates that almonds offer beneficial health effects for a number of risk factors of Metabolic Syndrome X. Perhaps nuts, such as almonds offer a healthy snack alternative that can keep weight down, control blood sugar levels and reduce heart disease risk. These little treats offer a health power punch!

In Your Face Snacks offer both bulk and grab bag sized almonds perfect for getting the beneficial health effects almonds offer into your diet.

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