Eating more almonds could save your life. Eat them instead of snacks, crisps and biscuits and you can lower your bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of suffering cardiovascular problems.
Research at Kings College London showed that replacing snacks with almonds improves endothelial function in blood vessels. The endothelium is the thin membrane that lines the heart and blood vessels, and it releases chemicals that help blood vessels expand and contract to move blood around the body. Problems with the endothelium can leave blood vessels inelastic, leading to circulation problems and the risk of stroke or heart attack.
A study of people who were at risk of cardiovascular problems showed that in a six week trial period, the people who replaced snacks with almonds had less LDL or “bad” cholesterol in their blood and their endothelial function was better. The risk of cardiovascular disease was reduced by up to 32%!
Snacking on whole almonds for 6 weeks improves endothelial function and lowers LDL cholesterol but does not affect liver fat and other cardiometabolic risk factors in healthy adults: the ATTIS study, a randomized controlled trial, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,