High cholesterol is a serious issue in the UK, with around half of adults thought to be living with it. Although not immediately dangerous, if not treated it can lead to a build-up of fat in the arteries ultimately causing blockages. It is also a leading risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and other medical emergencies.
An excess of cholesterol is often caused by certain lifestyle habits such as eating too much fatty food and not exercising enough. While there are medications that can be taken to help like statins, people with high cholesterol will be told to watch what they eat. And there is one tasty snack that health bodies say could be beneficial for those looking to lower cholesterol.
According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), eating a handful of nuts and seeds could do just this. They are rich in unsaturated fats and fibre, both of which can help lower cholesterol. “Nuts are a good source of unsaturated fats as well as fibre and other nutrients,” the BHF says.
“They are filling to eat and make a tasty and convenient swap for snacks like chocolate, cakes and biscuits, which are usually high in saturated fat. “Used in this way they can help lower your cholesterol levels. Just make sure you choose plain ones to avoid adding extra salt or sugar to your diet.
“A portion is a small handful – about 30 grams. Choose whichever nuts you like or, even better, a mixture of nuts and seeds to benefit from a wider range of nutrients.” This advice is backed by ch.