Walnuts and Cholesterol

In a recent analysis of 26 studies, researchers found that consuming walnuts may help improve cholesterol numbers. Participants in most of the studies were instructed to eat 1 to 2 ounces of walnuts per day for 4 to 8 weeks. Compared to those who didn’t eat walnuts, the walnut eaters had, on average, a 7-point decrease in total cholesterol levels. They also had lowered their LDL (bad cholesterol) by about 6 points. Triglyceride levels improved slightly, too. Walnuts contain unsaturated fats, fiber, sterols, polyphenoils and the omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid, which may have anti-inflammatory properties.