Eating pecans lowers cholesterol

Recently, a study conducted by American scientists showed that people at risk of cardiovascular disease can improve the level of total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein in the body by eating pecans. The findings were published in the Journal of Nutrition.

One of the study's authors, Professor Jamie Cooper of the American Academy of Nutritional Sciences, said that after dietary interventions, some participants' cholesterol indicators returned to normal.

The researchers divided 52 adults between the ages of 30 and 75 who were at higher risk of cardiovascular disease into three groups. One group of participants consumed 68 grams or about 470 calories of pecans per day as part of their daily diet, the second group replaced foods with pecans for the same calories in their daily diet, and the control group did not eat pecans. After 8 weeks, participants consumed high-fat foods to identify changes in blood lipids and blood sugar.

The results showed that the fasting blood lipids of the participants who consumed pecans in both groups had similar improvements, while the first group of participants who added hickory diets had lower postprandial triglyceride levels and postprandial glucose levels.

Cooper said: "Whether it's adding pecans to the diet or replacing other foods with pelinas, we've seen improvements in cholesterol levels, especially in terms of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, with very noticeable changes. ”

The test found that participants who consumed pecans had an average decrease in total cholesterol by 5 percent and LDL levels by an average of 6 to 9 percent. Referring to a previous meta-analysis, the researchers looked at 51 exercise interventions aimed at lowering cholesterol, and the results showed an average reduction in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol by 1% and 5%.

Cooper notes that adding pecans to the diet can lower total cholesterol and LDL levels more and may be a more sustainable long-term healthy option than many other lifestyle interventions. "Some studies have shown that even a 1% reduction in LDL is associated with a small reduction in the risk of coronary artery disease, so these reductions are absolutely clinically meaningful." Cooper said.

The researchers note that the known biological activity of pecans may be a mechanism that promotes this improvement. It is rich in healthy fatty acids and fiber, both of which have been linked to lowering cholesterol. (Xin Yu)

Source: China Science Daily