<p>Munching on a handful of almonds daily may boost the levels of 'good' cholesterol in the body while simultaneously improving the way it functions, a study claims.<br /><br />Researchers from Pennsylvania State University in the US compared the levels and function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol in people who ate almonds every day, to the HDL levels and function of the same group of people when they ate a muffin instead.<br /><br />They found that while participants were on the almond diet, their HDL levels and functionality improved.<br /><br />Almonds work by gathering cholesterol from tissues, like the arteries, and helping transport it out of the body.<br /><br />"HDL is very small when it gets released into circulation. It is like a garbage bag that slowly gets bigger and more spherical as it gathers cholesterol from cells and tissues before depositing them in the liver to be broken down," said Kris-Etherton, professor at Penn State.<br /><br />Depending on how much cholesterol it has collected, HDL cholesterol is categorised into five "sub-populations," which range from the very small pre-beta-1 to the larger, more mature a-1.<br /><br />Researchers fed 48 men and women with elevated LDL cholesterol who participated in two six-week diet periods.<br /><br />In both, their diets were identical except for the daily snack. On the almond diet, participants received 43 grammes — about a handful - of almonds a day. During the control period, they received a banana muffin instead.<br /><br />At the end of each diet period, the researchers measured the levels and function of each participant's HDL cholesterol.<br /><br />They then compared the results to the participants' baseline measurements taken at the beginning of the study.<br /><br />The researchers found that compared to the control diet, the almond diet increased a-1 HDL - when the particles are at their largest size and most mature stage - by 19 per cent.<br /><br />Additionally, the almond diet improved HDL function by 6.4 per cent, in participants of normal weight.<br /><br />"While almonds will not eliminate the risk of heart disease, they may be a smart choice for a healthy snack. In addition to their heart-healthy benefits, almonds also provide a dose of good fats, vitamin E and fibre," said Etherton.<br /><br />"They are not a cure-all, but when eaten in moderation — and especially when eaten instead of a food of lower nutritional value - they are a great addition to an already healthy diet," she added. The study was published in the Journal of Nutrition.</p>
<p>Munching on a handful of almonds daily may boost the levels of 'good' cholesterol in the body while simultaneously improving the way it functions, a study claims.<br /><br />Researchers from Pennsylvania State University in the US compared the levels and function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol in people who ate almonds every day, to the HDL levels and function of the same group of people when they ate a muffin instead.<br /><br />They found that while participants were on the almond diet, their HDL levels and functionality improved.<br /><br />Almonds work by gathering cholesterol from tissues, like the arteries, and helping transport it out of the body.<br /><br />"HDL is very small when it gets released into circulation. It is like a garbage bag that slowly gets bigger and more spherical as it gathers cholesterol from cells and tissues before depositing them in the liver to be broken down," said Kris-Etherton, professor at Penn State.<br /><br />Depending on how much cholesterol it has collected, HDL cholesterol is categorised into five "sub-populations," which range from the very small pre-beta-1 to the larger, more mature a-1.<br /><br />Researchers fed 48 men and women with elevated LDL cholesterol who participated in two six-week diet periods.<br /><br />In both, their diets were identical except for the daily snack. On the almond diet, participants received 43 grammes — about a handful - of almonds a day. During the control period, they received a banana muffin instead.<br /><br />At the end of each diet period, the researchers measured the levels and function of each participant's HDL cholesterol.<br /><br />They then compared the results to the participants' baseline measurements taken at the beginning of the study.<br /><br />The researchers found that compared to the control diet, the almond diet increased a-1 HDL - when the particles are at their largest size and most mature stage - by 19 per cent.<br /><br />Additionally, the almond diet improved HDL function by 6.4 per cent, in participants of normal weight.<br /><br />"While almonds will not eliminate the risk of heart disease, they may be a smart choice for a healthy snack. In addition to their heart-healthy benefits, almonds also provide a dose of good fats, vitamin E and fibre," said Etherton.<br /><br />"They are not a cure-all, but when eaten in moderation — and especially when eaten instead of a food of lower nutritional value - they are a great addition to an already healthy diet," she added. The study was published in the Journal of Nutrition.</p>