Walnut May Be Top Nut for Heart Health
March 28, 2011 (Anaheim, Calif.) -- Walnuts are the No. 1 nut for heart health, says a researcher who presented his findings Sunday at the American Chemical Society annual meeting.
That’s because walnuts were found to have more antioxidants -- and better-quality antioxidants -- than other popular nuts tested, says Joe Vinson, PhD, a researcher at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.
Antioxidants protect cells against damage caused by harmful molecules known as free radicals. The damage can play a role in heart disease and other health conditions.
''Nuts are good for your heart," Vinson says. They can lower cholesterol, reduce the oxidative stress caused by the free radicals, and decrease unhealthy inflammation, he says.
When Vinson analyzed the amount of antioxidants found in walnuts and a variety of other nuts, walnuts came out on top.
"Twenty-eight grams of walnuts (an ounce) have more antioxidants than the sum of what the average person gets from fruits and vegetables," he says. "That is not to say they are a replacement for fruits and vegetables, but they are very antioxidant dense."
The research was internally funded by the university.
Nuts & Health: Back Story
"Nuts have had a negative connotation,'' Vinson says. Many people shy away from eating them, he finds, worried the fat content and calories will lead to weight gain.
An ounce of English walnuts has 185 calories, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That ounce also has 4 grams of protein, nearly 2 grams of fiber, and more than 18 grams of fat -- but lots of ''heart-healthy'' fat.
Studies have shown that people who incorporate a handful or so of nuts in their diet daily either maintain weight or lose weight, Vinson says.
Now, evidence is emerging that nuts can also help brain health, he says.
Vinson encourages nuts as snacks. "One of the reasons nuts are such a good snack is, it's not empty calories for certain, and you feel full," he says. That makes it likely you won't overeat at the next meal.
A Closer Look at Nuts
Besides walnuts, Vinson analyzed the antioxidant content of other popular nuts, including:
Read More...http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20110328/walnut-may-be-top-nut-for-heart-health?src=RSS_PUBLIC
I love Cashews and keep them on my Desk for those times when I just can't tear my self away from the computer to get something to eat. But, I don't eat them more than a few times a month. I have read a few articles which said that the fat in Nuts was not all that high compared to their benefits in the past. But, I do still have that myth in the back of my mind... "Nuts are Bad":O Guess I should splurge a more often. Maybe I'll get some Walnuts too... There ok, but not near as good as Cashews, though!;)
Don
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