Studies from a randomized controlled study suggest that walnuts can prevent significant risk factors for heart failure. Results unveil that individuals who drink walnuts daily could have a reduced risk of heart disease relative to others who do not feed.
More than 600 stable older adults ate 30 to 60 grams of walnuts a day as part of their daily diet or adopted their normal diet (without walnuts) for two years in the research, performed by Dr Emilio Ros of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, in collaboration with Loma Linda University.
There was a substantial decrease in inflammation among those who ate walnuts. Experts calculated the concentration of recognized inflammatory markers in the blood and noted the decrease by up to 11.5 percent.
Experts noted that the walnut diet reduced six of ten well-known inflammatory markers assessed in the sample. This active pro-inflammatory cytokine has been closely linked with decreased coronary heart disease rates.
The research was part of the Walnuts and Safe Ageing (WAHA) study - the biggest and longest study to date to investigate the effects of everyday intake of walnuts. Experts published the research in the American College of Cardiology Journal.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 16: View of gem lettuce, avocado, cucumber, walnuts, with goat cheese finished dish during Justin Smillie's California Cool class at The 8th Annual New York Culinary Experience Presented By New York Magazine And The International Culinary Center - Day 1 at New York Culinary Experience on April 16, 2016 in New York City.
Walnuts Can Reduce Cholesterol and Other Heart Diseases
The study's finding is that walnuts' anti-inflammatory properties offer a mechanistic basis for minimizing coronary disease beyond decreasing cholesterol.
"Acute inflammation is a physiological process due to activation of the immune system by injuries such as trauma or infection, and is an important defense of the body," said Dr Emilio Ros, a lead researcher in the study.
Short-term inflammation helps people heal wounds and fight infections, and chronic inflammation persists over time, Ros said per SciNews.
Ros underscored that poor diet, obesity, stress, and high blood pressure cause cardiovascular disease. According to the expert, these factors are damaging instead of healing one's cardiovascular health.
The findings of this study suggest walnuts are one food that may lessen chronic inflammation, which could help reduce the risk for heart disease, the researcher added.
Chronic inflammation is a critical element in the formation and advancement of atherosclerosis, the primary source of heart attacks and stroke, which accumulates plaque or 'hardening of the arteries. Thus, the magnitude of atherosclerosis is greatly dependent on systemic inflammation, and improvements in diet and lifestyle are crucial to reducing this phase.
"Although existing science literature recognizes walnuts as a cardiovascular product, scholars continue to explore the "how" and why" behind the cardiovascular benefits of walnuts. According to Dr. Ros, "Walnuts have an ideal combination of vital nutrients such as omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid or ALA (2.5g/oz) and other extremely bioactive ingredients such as polyphenols2, which are likely to play a part in their ancient nutrients.
An editorial also confirmed the study results in the same journal suggests that improved awareness of health protection mechanisms can inform healthy food choices for various foods and diets, especially their anti-inflammatory properties.
While these observations are positive, there are drawbacks to the study. In addition to walnuts, the research subjects were older adults who were safe and free to reside with the option of consuming a range of other foods. In addition, in more diverse and vulnerable communities, further study is needed.
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