Short Answer: Cashews are good for high cholesterol. Because they have unsaturated fat and they can lower LDL and total cholesterol levels and increase HDL levels.
High cholesterol is a condition that affects your blood vessels and heart.
In high cholesterol, your body produces or consumes too much cholesterol, which is a type of fat that circulates in your blood.
This can lead to various health problems, such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, and angina.
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, omega-3, and antioxidant-rich foods like oats, salmon, and berries and avoid saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium rich foods like butter, pastries, and processed meats.
Now, cashews are a type of nut that comes from a tropical tree.
People usually eat them raw, roasted, or salted, or use them in dishes, sauces, or desserts.
Cashews are good for high cholesterol because they contain unsaturated fat, which is good for heart health.
Unsaturated fat can help lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and total cholesterol levels, making them part of a heart-healthy diet.
Cashews can also increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels and lower blood pressure, which are other factors that can improve your heart health.
2 ounces of cashews can give you 2 grams of saturated fat and 16 grams of unsaturated fat.
These amounts are 10% and 24% of your daily needs, respectively.
Saturated fat can negatively affect high cholesterol by raising LDL and total cholesterol levels.
Unsaturated fat can positively affect high cholesterol by lowering LDL and total cholesterol levels and increasing HDL levels.
Furthermore, cashews are a plant-based protein and plant-based protein is good for high cholesterol.
Because, plant-based protein can lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes, which are associated with high cholesterol.
You can eat 1 to 2 ounces of cashews per day safely.
More than that can cause excess calories and weight gain, which can also affect your cholesterol levels.
Stick to this amount to minimize the risk of heart disease and other complications.
Also, you shouldn’t eat cashews if you have a nut allergy or a severe intolerance to nuts, as they may cause allergic reactions or digestive issues.
Because these conditions can affect your blood pressure and heart function.
You can buy fresh cashews in your local market or can order them from online.
Always choose organic, unsalted, and raw cashews.
Because organic cashews are free of pesticides and chemicals, unsalted cashews are lower in sodium, and raw cashews are higher in nutrients.
You can store them in an airtight container in a cool and dry place for up to six months.
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Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing/dealing with high cholesterol effectively.
I always recommend my high cholesterol patients to follow a high cholesterol-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.
