Almonds at the Heart of a Healthful Diet

Almonds positively impact heart health on a variety of levels, according to three studies presented at the 2004 Experimental Biology conference. This research underscores the role almonds play in a heart-healthy diet, and provides further support for the qualified health claim almonds, and select other nuts, received from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2003.

Among the findings presented at Experimental Biology:

Almonds Are a Key Component In the First Cholesterol-Lowering Eating Plan to Directly Compare Patients On First-line Statins. What happens when certain recognized heart-healthy foods are combined into one eating plan? According to researchers at the University of Toronto, a dietary plan that includes almonds, plant sterols, soy protein and viscous fiber working in combination is as effective in lowering cholesterol as is taking a starting dose of cholesterol-lowering drugs.

This is the first study to directly compare a dietary approach with statins for cholesterol reduction. Patients following this dietary approach, known as the 'PortfolioEatingPlan,' lowered their LDL, or 'bad,' cholesterol up to 32 percent, and on average 29 percent in four weeks.

The PortfolioEatingPlan That Includes Almonds Also Lowered C-Reactive Protein Levels In Patients. University of Toronto researchers also found individuals on the PortfolioEatingPlan had a greater reduction in c-reactive protein levels than patients taking statins. C-reactive protein is an indication of inflamed arteries and a risk factor for heart disease. Health professionals believe that reducing c-reactive protein may reduce the risk of heart disease. This study is the first to show such a reduction through a food intervention.

The combination of results from these research findings is very exciting, said Dr. Cyril Kendall of the University of Toronto. The research tells us that almonds are acting through several mechanisms to improve heart health. In addition, almonds are nutritious, tasty and versatile and can easily used as an ingredient or snack.

Antioxidants In Almonds – Polyphenols and Vitamin E – Work In Synergy to Promote Heart Health. Almonds are among the riches food sources of vitamin E. Researchers from Tufts University in Boston found that a class of phytochemicals (called polyphenols) from almond skins interact synergistically with the vitamin E in almonds to protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation. Individuals with high levels of oxidized LDL are at greater risk of heart disease and stroke. The protection against oxidation by almond polyphenols and vitamin E together was significantly greater than when either nutrient was tested alone.

The almond story is a great example of how nutrients in whole foods, in this case almonds, work together to bring a benefit that is greater than the action of each one independently, said Jeff Blumberg, PhD, chief of the Antioxidants Research Lab at Tufts University. The natural antioxidants in almonds have a synergistic effect that can help promote heart health.

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