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The Cholesterol-Lowering Power of Nuts
During the low-fat/no-fat madness of the past few decades, nuts got a bad rap because of their high fat content. But as you know from reading Early to Rise, eating fat does not make you fat. And, as long as you're eating healthy fats, it doesn't contribute to heart disease either. In fact, you can reduce your risk of heart disease by consuming healthy fats - and nuts are full of them.
Some nuts have also been shown to have a powerful, positive effect on cholesterol levels. According to a recent review of studies performed by researchers in South Africa, eating 1.5 ounces of nuts per day for four weeks resulted in the following reductions in LDL cholesterol:
Peanuts: 6.4 percent
Walnuts: 7.5 percent
Almonds: 7.8 percent
Pecans: 13.4 percent
Nuts are also slow to digest, so they satisfy your appetite longer than most foods. So grab a couple of bags the next time you're at the store, and snack on a few handfuls every day. |
