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A daily almond snack not only increases levels of good HDL cholesterol, it makes it more active in the body. [Photo: Bigstock]

Almonds help clear cholesterol from the blood

Natural Health News — Eating almonds on a regular basis may help boost levels of HDL cholesterol while simultaneously improving the way it removes cholesterol from the body.

“There’s a lot of research out there that shows a diet that includes almonds lowers low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for heart disease,” Kris-Etherton said. “But not as much was known about how almonds affect HDL cholesterol, which is considered good cholesterol and helps lower your risk of heart disease.”

In fact a study in 2016 suggested that while eating almonds resulted in significant reductions in total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, it seemed to have no significant impact on “good” HDL cholesterol levels.

A handful a day

For the current study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, 48 men and women with elevated LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol participated in two six-week diet periods. In both, their diets were identical except for the daily snack. On the almond diet, participants received 43 grams – about a handful – of almonds a day. During the control period, they received a banana muffin instead.

At the end of each diet period, the US researchers measured the levels and function of each participant’s HDL (‘good’) cholesterol (e.g. it’s ability to remove cholesterol from tissues, like the arteries, and helping to transport it out of the body) and compared these to measurements taken at the beginning of the study.

Compared to the control diet, the almond diet increased what is known as “alpha-1” HDL – when the particles are at their largest size and most mature stage – by 19%.

Making good cholesterol better

“HDL is very small when it gets released into circulation,” said Penny Kris-Etherton, lead author and distinguished professor of nutrition at Penn State. “It’s like a garbage bag that slowly gets bigger and more spherical as it gathers cholesterol from cells and tissues before depositing them in the liver to be broken down.”

Depending on how much cholesterol it has collected, HDL cholesterol is categorized into five “subpopulations,” which range from the very small to the larger, more mature alpha-1. The researchers found that the almond diet improved HDL function by 6.4%, in participants of normal weight.

“We were able to show that there were more larger particles in response to consuming the almonds compared to not consuming almonds,” Kris-Etherton said. “That would translate to the smaller particles doing what they’re supposed to be doing…going to tissues and pulling out cholesterol, getting bigger, and taking that cholesterol to the liver for removal from the body.”

A smart choice for heart health

An increase in this particular HDL sub-population is meaningful, Kris-Etherton explained, because the particles have been shown to decrease overall risk of cardiovascular disease.

Kris-Etherton said that while almonds will not eliminate the risk of heart disease, they may be a smart choice for a healthy snack. She added that in addition to their heart-healthy benefits, almonds also provide a dose of good fats, vitamin E and fibre.

Previous studies have shown that women who snack on 42g (1.5 oz) of almonds in the morning are less likely to overeat at later meals.

A 2015 University of Toronto study also found that participants who ate almonds saw an improvement in factors associated with heart disease risk.

“If people incorporate almonds into their diet, they should expect multiple benefits, including ones that can improve heart health,” Kris-Etherton said of the current study, which was supported by the Almond Board of California. “They’re not a cure-all, but when eaten in moderation – and especially when eaten instead of a food of lower nutritional value – they’re a great addition to an already healthy diet.”