50 g of Almonds a Day Improves Vascular Function

Adding almonds to your diet may significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, according to new research.

Researchers found that almonds increase the amount of antioxidants in the bloodstream, thereby reducing blood pressure and improving blood flow.
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In a clinical study, healthy middle age men (age 56 ± 5.8 years), healthy young men (age 22.1 ± 2.9 years), and young men with 2 or more cardiovascular risk factors (age 27.3 ± 5 years) were given 50 g of almonds a day for 4 weeks. A control group maintained their regular diet.

Antioxidant/cholesterol ratios were similar between all groups at baseline but were significantly elevated 4 weeks later. Plasma protein oxidation and nitrate levels stayed similar between all groups. Total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in healthy middle age and younger men with CV risk factors.

Flow-mediated dilation improved and systolic blood pressure reduced significantly after the 4 weeks, but diastolic blood pressure reduced only in healthy men.

Researchers concluded that a short-term, almond-enriched diet can increase antioxidants (plasma α-tocopherol) in the bloodstream and improve vascular function in asymptomatic healthy men (age 20-70) without any effect on plasma lipids or markers of oxidative stress.

The complete study is published in the June issue of Free Radical Research.

Reference:

Aston University. New research shows almonds reduce the risk of heart disease [press release]. June 24, 2014. www.aston.ac.uk/about/news/releases/2014/june/research-show-almonds-reduce-risk-of-heart-disease. Accessed July 1, 2014.

Choudhury K, Clark J, Griffiths HR. An almond-enriched diet increases plasma α-tocopherol and improves vascular function but does not affect oxidative stress markers or lipid levels. Free Radical Research. 2014;48(5):599-606