Eating Nuts for Heart Health - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Eating Nuts for Heart Health

jeanjeannie50 profile image
57 Replies

If you are interested in eating nuts to improve your health, look up each one to see what vitamins or minerals it will supply and how many you should eat daily. It's important that nuts are 'really well chewed' and if you do that it will not effect pockets that may have formed in the bowel due to something like diverticular disease.

Discover how walnuts, almonds and other nuts can help lower cholesterol when eaten as part of a balanced diet. Eating nuts as part of a healthy diet may be good for the heart. Nuts contain unsaturated fatty acids and other nutrients. And they're a great snack food. They are inexpensive, easy to store and easy to pack when you're on the go.

One drawback to nuts is that some may be high in calories. So it's important to limit portions. But choosing nuts instead of a less healthy snack may help you stick to a heart-healthy diet.

How might nuts help your heart?

Research has found that frequently eating nuts lowers levels of inflammation related to heart disease and diabetes.

Regularly eating a healthy diet that includes nuts may:

Improve artery health.

Reduce inflammation related to heart disease.

Decrease the risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Lower the risk of high blood pressure.

Lower the risk of early death due to heart disease.

Lower unhealthy cholesterol levels, specifically triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, also called LDL or "bad" cholesterol.

What might make nuts heart healthy?

Nuts are a good source of protein. Most nuts also contain at least some of these heart-healthy substances:

Unsaturated fats. It's not entirely clear why, but it's thought that the "good" fats in nuts — both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — lower bad cholesterol levels.

Omega-3 fatty acids. Many nuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are healthy fatty acids. They may reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Fibre. All nuts contain fibre, which helps lower cholesterol. Fibre also makes you feel full, so you eat less.

Plant sterols. Some nuts contain plant sterols, a substance that can help lower cholesterol. Plant sterols are often added to products such as margarine and orange juice for additional health benefits, but sterols occur naturally in nuts.

L-arginine. Nuts are also a source of L-arginine. Some research suggests that L-arginine may lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol and improve overall blood vessel health.

Discover how walnuts, almonds and other nuts can help lower cholesterol when eaten as part of a balanced diet.

What's a healthy serving of nuts?

Nuts contain fat. Even though most of it is healthy fat, the calories can still add up. That's why you should eat nuts in moderation.

Adults should aim to eat about 4 to 6 servings of unsalted nuts a week as part of a healthy diet. Serving recommendations for kids vary, depending on age. Ask your paediatrician how many servings of nuts are OK for your child.

Choose raw or dry-roasted nuts rather than nuts cooked in oil. One serving is a small handful (1.5 ounces) of whole nuts or 2 tablespoons of nut butter.

Does it matter what kind of nuts you eat?

Most nuts appear to be generally healthy. But some may have more heart-healthy nutrients than others. For example, walnuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans also appear to be quite heart healthy. So are peanuts — though they are technically not a nut, but a legume, like beans.

It's best to choose unsalted or unsweetened nuts. Adding salt or sugar to nuts may cancel out their heart-healthy benefits.

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57 Replies
Buzby62 profile image
Buzby62

Great post Jean, I will read in detail later, I started eating a few walnuts broken up on my cereal about a year ago after reading they were good for heart health and could maybe reduce AF episodes. I’ve done this daily since and I am convinced my health is better for it and I also think it did protect me from AF somewhat up until my ablation last December but not enough evidence to be sure. They are also a great satisfying snack in small amounts.

Best wishes

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toBuzby62

That's interesting that you think walnuts helped reduce your AF episodes. A good tip, thank you.

Buzby62 profile image
Buzby62 in reply tojeanjeannie50

As usual with AF it’s hard to pinpoint one thing that makes a difference but sometimes if you think you’re doing good then that can reduce the anxiety that can trigger us off so it is good.

If you do an Internet search for

“walnuts and atrial fibrillation”

there’s lots of studies suggesting it can reduce AF.

Tplongy profile image
Tplongy in reply toBuzby62

Thanks for the informative article Jean… though raw nuts can actually be very expensive but I guess not when compared to chocolate 😂

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toTplongy

Don't mention chocolate to me I'm a recovering chocoholic. 😁

Rainfern profile image
Rainfern

Thank you Jean for such a helpful post. I think I must have been a squirrel in a previous lifetime as I have always loved nuts! It’s really good to see all the benefits written out and I hadn’t read about the benefits to heart before. Thank you

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toRainfern

Yes, I must have been a squirrel too as I've always loved nuts and have eaten them for years..

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

great post Jean - just to add - almonds should be soaked before eating as they are not easily metabolized.

Caution about Brazil nuts which are good source of Selenium BUT limit to 1 or 2 only.

I find it hard to eat nuts on their own so add to my breakfast mix of muesli, seeds & fruits, soaked overnight in apple juice. I then have no problems.

I think it’s a great idea to share nutritional info.

One thing I picked up a few days ago that I didn’t know was you shouldn’t eat blueberries alongside bananas (which I always did) as bananas contain an enzyme which neutralizes the polyphenols (anti-inflammatory & brain ageing) in blueberries.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toCDreamer

The only few times in the last 19 years that I've eaten blueberries my AF kicked off. Not had them now for many years. Interesting that they shouldn't be eaten with bananas.

Jalia profile image
Jalia

Thanks for the tip about blueberries and bananas as I've been including banana in my bowl of berries for potassium. Why the limit on Brazil nuts?

Cavalierrubie profile image
Cavalierrubie in reply toJalia

Brazil nuts are extremely high in selenium, so more than three per day can lead to selenium toxicity.

Jalia profile image
Jalia in reply toCavalierrubie

Thank you for that info!

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

My problem is not dipping into my nuts, cashew, walnuts, flaked almonds, peanuts and seeds, sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, which live in a tub mixed together on the top shelf.Even if I eat too many, my arms are being exercised to reach them!!

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toBagrat

What a good idea, we could all become fitter if we follow your lead. 😁

Jalia profile image
Jalia

Thank you Jean. Very useful post. I shall get my nuts in tomorrow !

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Not with my teeth! Peanut butter is as close as I can get to nuts.

Cavalierrubie profile image
Cavalierrubie

l have always enjoyed nuts, even though they are high in calories. Good source of protein. Very nutritious and keep a stable blood sugar. The only ones l limit are pine nuts, and cashew nuts as they are high in vitamin K and l take warfarin, so have to be careful. Almonds are good for indigestion. Good post thank you. A good reminder to me, as l have just committed a grave sin and eaten an ice/cream, sitting in the sun!

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toCavalierrubie

I had an ice cream today too! It was hot out (not that I'm moaning). Visited a National trust property Coleton Fishacre, wow beautiful house and a stunning valley garden in South Devon.

Yes, almonds are excellent at reducing indigestion.

Cavalierrubie profile image
Cavalierrubie in reply tojeanjeannie50

Lovely day out Jean. I have a weakness with ice-cream. My excuse is that it’s summer! At last we have some sunshine now and can get out. Take care.

50568789 profile image
50568789

Used to be a peanut addict and enjoyed most nuts but the teeth can't handle them anymore.

Omniscient1 profile image
Omniscient1

My goto snack at the moment is a Brazil nut and a pitted date. You'll tell me it's too much sugar but crunched together it's great

Shopgal67 profile image
Shopgal67 in reply toOmniscient1

Yes there is sugar in there but also masses of other nutrients including potassium, we should be looking at food as a whole rather than demonising one element of it .

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply toOmniscient1

Hi

I read 2 Brazil nuts daily, 12 cashew nuts, 12 almonds and like the crunch of macadamian nuts.

Keeps you regular.

No salt. Can be uncooked but peanuts NO poison uncooked.

cheri JOY.

Larneybuds profile image
Larneybuds

Thanks for info....I eat a handful of nuts every day....mostly almonds....my 'go to' snack 👍 and if anyone is interested, a German supermarket beginning with A ( not sure if rules allow name lol)...they sell a peanut butter that is pure...100% peanuts...no additives according to the jar....not too expensive and delicious ....obvious calories but a nice treat now and then xx

Larneybuds profile image
Larneybuds in reply toLarneybuds

Actually....that supermarket behind with L !!😁

Shopgal67 profile image
Shopgal67

💯💯💯agree with this post , nuts and seeds are such an easy win for health in general.

The doctors kitchen podcast always talks about the importance of having 30gm of mixed nuts and seeds each day .

He is a practising GP who was diagnosed with Afib a few years ago and so began his journey to change his lifestyle in order to lessen his burden . Well worth a listen.

Efka profile image
Efka in reply toShopgal67

Thank you, a new name for me I shall look him up and listen 😊

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toShopgal67

I add sunflower and pumpkin seeds to my muesli, eat nuts as a snack between meals. I bought Dr Rupy Aujla's The Doctors Kitchen cook book but really don't like a whole plate of one taste. If anyone can advise me on a dish that's really tasty from that book, just to start off with, I'd be grateful.

Jean

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49

Hi

And jeanjeannie50 nuts raw (for cooking) have a poison in it.

Now have you tried the

MAGNUM non dairy ALMOND

3 in a packet box brown and green. Careful not to pick up the caramel one.

I'm hooked on them.

Not hard but medium to soft. Almond milk, chocolate yum coated cocoa divulge.

3 for $7.49 a special price often.

cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)

Let me know if you like them. On a stick.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toJOY2THEWORLD49

Will do.

Omniscient1 profile image
Omniscient1

Yes the vegan magnums are very good, do you get 'swedish glace' down there? It's vegan ice cream and so nice. Though oddly I'm reminded of chocolate covered custard creams (3 of your 5 a day!). Somewhat off Jeans nuts post.

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire

I make my own roasted nuts. I grease a baking tray with a little toasted sesame oil and put it in the oven so it spreads evenly. Then I add a thick layer of cashews ,hazelnuts and whole skinned almonds sprinkle with garam masala and mix well. 20mins in the oven at 180° and another mix halfway through. Doing your own means you can control the amount of oil used and use a good one rather than the cheap veg oil commercial nuts will use.

GoodHearty profile image
GoodHearty

Also lookup the benefits of pumpkin seeds and organic 100% cacao powder, also packed with heart healthy nutrients (magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc etc). I add small handful of pumpkin seeds and half tea spoon of cacao powder with cereal. I also eat a celery stick in the morning, take a look at the videos on Nitric Oxide, you’ll get detailed explanations. Hope that helps.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toGoodHearty

Will look up Nitric Oxide, thank you.

ozziebob profile image
ozziebob

It's a minefield trying to buy nuts and seeds online as the source country also needs to be taken onto account. This is because of the toxic heavy metal pollution in the agricultural products of countries like China, and which supply a large percentage of this market. It becomes very expensive very quickly sourcing these food items in organic form free from pesticides and toxic heavy metals.

Cavalierrubie profile image
Cavalierrubie in reply toozziebob

Very true. I have recently been reading up on this and the toxic substances that are carcinogenic. That’s obviously why organic nuts are so expensive to buy and difficult to obtain. There is less and less of purity in this world today and man is destroying himself.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toCavalierrubie

So true, we are certainly poisoning ourselves.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toozziebob

The trouble I find with nuts is that at times they can taste a bit musty, especially walnuts. The best nuts come in their shell and as you say are not grown in polluted land or sprayed with pesticides. Just looked and my almonds come from USA, cashew nuts India, brazil nuts from Bolivia. They are all marked as Fairtrade products, not that says too much about how they are grown. The' organic' nuts, in the store where I buy mine, just don't taste a nice as the ones I buy.

ozziebob profile image
ozziebob in reply tojeanjeannie50

Yes, do you fancy Chinese sourced organic nuts? Not me! Perhaps those "organic" nuts you tasted were from China? H&B source a lot of their nuts from China and have just stopped selling their "organic" pumpkin seeds from China, while you can still buy their non-organic version, also sourced from China.🤔 Go figure!

As for almonds, California has the largest areas of monoculture of this crop in the world. No wonder yours and mine are from USA. 🤔

I have noticed though that, with a bit of effort on the websites of the better bulk suppliers of "organic" nuts and seeds, you can find the country of origin of each product and the eat-by date.

My recent decision to swap to eating seeds rather than the more expensive nuts has been the catalyst into discovering the toxic heavy metal pollution in the soils of many countries that supply both nuts and seeds. I am very late in discovering this after a lifetime of heavy nut consumption. Bummer.

It's definitely a pain in the arse though when you can't trust anything you eat or drink.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toozziebob

You're so right in your saying we can't trust anything as being healthy these days. If I were young again I'd plant my own nut and also fruit trees, veg too. When I retired I said I was going to have a vegetable garden, did it for a few years then decided it was easier to buy and grassed the area over. You don't need that much when you live on your own.

ozziebob profile image
ozziebob in reply tojeanjeannie50

Yes, but there's not enough grassy space🌼✔️or vegetable beds🍅✔️ in my high-rise northeast facing flat for my liking. A bit of a bummer that, and living alone too. 🤔

AVNA profile image
AVNA

Yes 👍, nuts plus nuts plus nuts plus... seeds, in many ways since I'm on a strict Vegan diet and low, very low salt. 😀 It helped survive AF and my cholesterol reading has improved lots.

Vonnegut profile image
Vonnegut in reply toAVNA

Interesting as despite being on a similar diet, I have been encouraged to take statins - guess it’s a box ticking thing because of my age and I hope I sha’n’t have to continue with them for much longer!

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toAVNA

I use pink Himalayan Mountain salt for cooking, it's said to be good for you.

Vonnegut profile image
Vonnegut

I’ve snacked on unsalted almonds, walnuts, and the odd Brazil nut as well as a few cashew nuts for many years and especially since acquiring the PAF.

Ennasti profile image
Ennasti

I eat a handful of mixed nuts almost every day. They’re generally high in protein and contain loads of good stuff - and they’re filling. I add dark choc drops to them for a special treat.

Vonnegut profile image
Vonnegut in reply toEnnasti

We have two squares of very dark chocolate a day as recommended by poor Dr Michael Mosely.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toVonnegut

I was totally devastated when he was found dead, such a shock. You could just tell what a natural and lovely person he was. I'd prayed he'd be found alive. Even by his death he taught us all something once more - not to go walking in extremely hot weather.

I'm afraid I could never stick to just having two squares of chocolate and would have to eat the lot in one day. That's me, so sadly I can't buy any.

Jean

Vonnegut profile image
Vonnegut in reply tojeanjeannie50

Yes, but can’t see why he didn’t change his surname given the association with Oswald! I’m sure you could just have the two squares if you decided on it but I was never one to eat too much of anything at one go! I just like to appreciate things in small amounts.

Ennasti profile image
Ennasti in reply tojeanjeannie50

That’s why mixing it into the nuts is a good idea. You’d have to really want it to pick through a bag of nuts for all the little bits of chocolate! I just use the choc bits that you’d use for making choc chip muffins or biscuits.

Swimsyroke profile image
Swimsyroke

I put my nut mixture in a grinder then add them to my cereal. That way they are easier to digest. I also always skin almonds as I read that the skin can be toxic.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toSwimsyroke

Goodness I didn't know that about almond skins, must look it up.

Swimsyroke profile image
Swimsyroke in reply tojeanjeannie50

I guess alternatively you could soak them overnight to get rid of the phytic acid but I have poor digestion so I soak for 5 mins then remove the skin

Vonnegut profile image
Vonnegut in reply toSwimsyroke

That’s odd as I heard they were better with the skins and ok if organic, surely.

Snowgirl65 profile image
Snowgirl65

I just read in the national news today (US) that in a study, nuts don't add to weight gain for those dieting, and in fact -- if eaten in moderate amounts -- prove to help in weight loss as they stave off hunger. Yet another good reason to stock up on them.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toSnowgirl65

That's good to hear. thank you for sharing that information.

Cabot profile image
Cabot

Thank you for this lovely and important post! I have been having nut butter for other reasons but now will connect it to Afib prevention!

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