Food 6. Walnuts: The Heart’s Nutty Armor
Walnuts, part of the tree nut family, serve as the heart’s nutty armor. They’re rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are known to lower LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, walnuts are a great source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of plant-based omega-3 fatty acid that’s been linked to heart health benefits.
Walnuts are also packed with antioxidants, which can help fight oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which contribute to heart disease. Additionally, they contain magnesium, which is important for maintaining a healthy heartbeat and overall cardiovascular health.
Research supports the heart-healthy claims of walnuts. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming walnuts can help reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol while maintaining levels of “good” HDL cholesterol.
Incorporating walnuts into your diet can be as easy as tossing a handful into your morning cereal, adding them to a salad for extra crunch, or even eating a few as a quick snack. (6)
