Eating Almonds Has Been Found to Reduce Cholesterol Levels

Hyperlipidemia, or high lipid levels in blood, is one of the most important risk factors of coronary artery disease. Consequently, efforts for regulating lipid levels, especially low-density lipoproteins (LDL), is an important approach to reducing disease burden and prolonging life.

Thanks to their richness in healthy fats, nuts have been shown to have beneficial effects on promoting heart health and on regulating lipid levels.¹ Further research is encouraged to investigate the best types of nuts, dosages, and their forms of consumption for lipid control.

As such, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of almond oil on the lipid profile in patients with hyperlipidemia.

The Study

It was a randomized, open-label controlled clinical trial that involved 97 adults with hyperlipidemia. It was conducted by researchers from the Iranian Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.

Once they were randomly divided into two groups, those in the intervention group received 10 mL of almond oil twice a day for 30 days. Participants in the control group did not receive any treatment.

Before and after the study, researchers measured serum lipoprotein levels (LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol). The results of this trial were published in the 2019 edition of the Complementary Therapies in Medicine journal.

The Results

In participants in the intervention group, there was a significant decrease in total cholesterol (-16.12) and LDL levels (-20.88).

There were no changes in triglyceride and HDL levels.

What Does this Mean?

This study has demonstrated that almond oil consumption can lower total cholesterol and LDL in people with hyperlipidemia. It does not, however, have an effect on HDL and triglycerides.

Simple and inexpensive lifestyle interventions, like dietary changes, play a huge role in managing coronary heart disease and reducing its complications. Whether they are eaten raw or in the form of an oil, almonds continue to show various health-promoting effects on human well-being.

Other herbs with cholesterol-lowering abilities are olives, avocados, flax, and cacao.