Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans also appear to be quite heart healthy. So are peanuts — though they are technically not a nut, but a legume, like beans. It's best to choose unsalted or unsweetened nuts. Adding salt or sugar to nuts may cancel out their heart-healthy benefits.
Nuts such as walnuts and almonds are a great source of numerous nutrients that ensure your heart stays healthy. Consuming walnuts regularly have been linked to significantly unclogging arteries according to an animal study.
Tree nuts -- hold the salt! -- like walnuts and almonds can be a great source of healthy fats that help your heart. But for high blood pressure, your best pick is pistachios. They seem to have the strongest effect on lowering both your top and bottom blood pressure readings.
Most nuts appear to be generally healthy. But some may have more heart-healthy nutrients than others. For example, walnuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans also appear to be quite heart healthy.
Almonds and other nuts
Almonds and other tree nuts can improve blood cholesterol. A recent study concluded that a diet supplemented with walnuts can lower the risk of heart complications in people with history of a heart attack.
Brazil nuts, cashews and macadamia nuts are higher in saturated fat. Too much of this can contribute to raised cholesterol levels, so only eat them occasionally. Chestnuts are an exception – they're lower in all types of fats and higher in starchy carbohydrate than other nuts.
Walnuts : The King of Nuts.
Almonds are the most nutritionally-dense nuts and said to be king of superfoods by online health food brand, Healthy Supplies. They contain Vitamin E, magnesium, iron, calcium and fibre.
Almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts contain high amounts of fiber, calcium, magnesium, zinc, Vitamin E and Omega-3 fats which all have anti-inflammatory effects.
Because they are such a nutrient- and calorie-dense food, portion control is essential to avoid excess weight gain. More importantly, eating too many nuts can actually lead to food toxicity which can range from mild symptoms to severe illness.
When is the Ideal Time to Consume Nuts? Studies show that consuming nuts in the morning helps you achieve maximum health benefits. Having them along with your breakfast regularly can help regulate your blood pressure, remove bad cholesterol and improve your heart function.
Can eating too many nuts raise cholesterol? Yes, it is possible that eating nuts in excess may increase LDL cholesterol levels due to their saturated fat content. Eating nuts in excess may also exceed a person's daily calorie needs, leading to increased LDL cholesterol levels.
Most of us eat Cashews with Dates, and Almonds with Raisins, no doubt these combinations are delicious but they are digestive disasters, you are bound to have digestion problem eating like that. Such combinations are not good for health. e.g. Almonds, Walnuts, Pistachios, Cashews, Coconut, Peanuts etc.
People who are allergic to nuts should not eat walnuts. If the person develops a rash or hives or difficulty breathing after eating walnuts, medical attention should be sought. Children should not consume pieces of nut, or they should be supervised while doing so, as this can lead to choking.
Pine Nuts
Pine nuts are pretty sustainable, and cause no harm to land, soil, air, water and animals as long as no pesticides are used.
In reality, nuts are excellent sources of healthy fat, protein, and other healthful nutrients. One surprising finding from nutrition research is that people who regularly eat nuts are less likely to have heart attacks or die from heart disease than those who rarely eat them.
Other Nuts
"They're high in vitamins, minerals, and good monounsaturated fat, which can lower cholesterol." Along with almonds and walnuts, the FDA gave its qualified health claim to peanuts, hazelnuts, pecans, some pine nuts, and pistachios. Many studies back up their benefits.
Macadamia Nuts Are Full of Healthy Fats
Ounce for ounce, macadamia nuts are among most calorie-dense nuts, but they contain one of the highest counts of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat per serving. “This 'good fat' helps lower LDL 'bad' cholesterol and blood pressure,” Bauer says.