Short Answer: Almonds are good for high cholesterol. Because they have monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, and fiber and they can lower LDL cholesterol, raise HDL cholesterol, and prevent oxidation and inflammation.
High cholesterol is a condition that affects your blood vessels and heart.
In high cholesterol, your body produces too much of a waxy substance called cholesterol, which can stick to the walls of your arteries and form plaques.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heart attack, stroke, angina, and peripheral artery disease.
One of the key factors in managing high cholesterol is diet.
What you consume can affect your blood cholesterol levels, which can impact your high cholesterol symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage high cholesterol, you should consume fiber-rich foods like oats, beans, and fruits and avoid saturated fat-rich foods like butter, cheese, and red meat.
Now, almonds are a type of tree nut that are rich in protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamin E, and antioxidants.
People usually eat them raw, roasted, or as almond butter or milk.
Almonds are good for high cholesterol because they contain monounsaturated fats, which can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol.
Almonds also have polyphenols, which can prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and reduce inflammation.
One ounce (28 grams) of almonds can give you 6 grams of protein (12% of your daily needs), 14 grams of fat (9% of which are monounsaturated), 4 grams of fiber (16%), and 7.4 mg of vitamin E (37%).
Monounsaturated fats can lower LDL cholesterol by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver and increasing the removal of cholesterol from the blood.
Vitamin E can protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation, which makes it less likely to form plaques in the arteries.
Fiber can bind to cholesterol in the digestive system and prevent its absorption into the bloodstream.
Furthermore, almonds are a plant-based food and plant-based foods are good for high cholesterol.
Because, they do not contain cholesterol or trans fats, which can raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.
You can eat one to two ounces (28 to 56 grams) of almonds per day safely. More than that can cause weight gain, digestive problems, or allergic reactions.
Also, you shouldn’t eat almonds if you have a nut allergy or a condition that affects your ability to chew or swallow, such as dysphagia or dentures.
Because, they can cause anaphylaxis, choking, or aspiration.
You can buy fresh almonds in your local market or can order them online.
Always choose unsalted and unflavored almonds, because salt and sugar can increase your blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
You can store them in an airtight container in a cool and dry place for up to a year.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing high cholesterol effectively.
I always recommend my high cholesterol patients to follow a cholesterol-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.