Healthy Diet Plans >> Articles >> Diet and Wellness

Walnuts: Good for the Heart?

by Sharon Hopkins

Rate This Article

Walnuts are nuts, known for their aroma and flavor that they contribute to food. The effect of a diet rich in saturated fat is overcome by the omega 3 fatty acids in walnuts that are not synthesized by the body. Walnuts are heart healthy.

This protective feature is absent in olive oil. They enhance the nutrient content of a diet. These help in providing relief from psoriasis and eczema.

They improve the cognitive efficiency of individuals and enhance their immunity and this is attributed to the chemical compound, ellagic acid.

This is also effective in providing anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects in arthritis and asthmatic patients respectively. The tree of walnuts is renowned for their aesthetic looks and is highly priced.

The kernel comprises of two lobes, which look similar to the brain lobes or butterflies. They are protected outside by a hard shell, brown in color and is white on the inside. The lobes are golden brown in color.

Coronary artery disease prevention is one more protective function of walnuts. Research reveals the heart-friendly role and cardio protective function of walnuts and their role in lowering the ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and Lp(a), a lipoprotein helpful in raising the coagulation of blood, thereby resulting in atherosclerotic plaques. They are rich sources of mono unsaturated fats. The cardio protective function is attributed to the omega 3 fatty acid content of walnuts. This is done by decreasing the incidence of tachycardia, raising the ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and by decreasing blood coagulation. It decreases the plaque formation and further, reduces swelling.

Walnuts are rich in amino acid, arginine. In vivo, arginine is converted to nitric oxide, a compound that aids in relaxation of blood vessels. It also helps in smoothening the walls of the vessels. Walnuts serve an important role in the diet of a hypertensive subjects, as they find it difficult to regulate the nitric oxide levels. Thereby, it helps in regulating the lifestyle of diabetics and cardiac subjects. The free radical damage of LDL cholesterol, is decreased by walnuts. This is attributed to the scavenging role of the antioxidants, ellagic acid and gallic acid. The polyphenols in walnuts also possess free radical scavenging property.

Research reveals the contribution of nuts towards type 2 diabetes. The risk of developing the same is reduced by the consumption of 30-60 grams every day. As 200 kilocalories is provided by 30 grams of walnuts, it can bed as a substitute snack. They are not helpful in weight gain.

Related Topics

Walnuts good source omega-3 fatty acids reduce risk blood clotting
Walnuts source of omega 3Walnuts are quite a favorite with kids; but who knew that the unassuming but delicious nutty snack is also rich in...
Walnut Benefits Walnut
Health Benefits Of Black Walnut And Walnut OilThe walnut is an amazing source of nutrition with an abundance of healthy omega-3 essential fatty...
Nutritional Values | Nuts
NutsNuts contain reduced saturated fats. They are good sources of mono and poly unsaturated fats. They are devoid of cholesterol and comprise of...
Nuts Make Perfect Healthy Snack
Diabetes | Nuts Seeds
Nuts and SeedsNuts and seeds are effective foods, which aid in reducing the risk of weight gain, cardiac diseases and diabetes mellitus. Appetite...

More..

Related Questions

Diet Plan Healthy Heart
Healthy Diet for HeartIt is important to know that the food you consume affects the heart in a major way. in order to have a healthy heart, one...
Healthy Eating Heart
Information on Healthy Food for HeartWith rapid betterment in the standard of living, decrease in infectious diseases and better care, certain...
Pulse ways determine heart rate 70bpm males 75bpm females
The number of heart beats in a minute is referred to as heart rate. It is denoted as beats per minute (bpm) and is around 70 in males and 75 in...
Diet Surviving Heart Attack
Life after heart attack is slightly frightening. The main objective is to prevent further attacks and other related risks. It takes at least two...
Food gallblader gall stone
A low-fat diet is recommended for gallbladder stones. There i

More..

Newsletter Subscription

Top Searched Keywords

:: diet

:: GASTRITIS

:: obesity

:: diabetes

:: constipation

Get Current News

Diet and Wellness