COURSTEY MIRROR APRIL 30

Almonds may reduce risk of heart disease
Review of over 1,500 studies says a healthy diet can lower dyslipidemia among Indians to a great extent
#NEWDELHI

Including almonds in the diet may significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease among Indians, who are more prone to heart disorders than their European counterparts, the latest review of over 1,500 studies has found.

The systematic review by a panel of Indian experts in the field of nutrition and cardiovascular disease (CVD), published in the journal Nutrients, suggests that daily inclusion of almonds as part of a healthy diet can reduce dyslipidemia, one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease among Indians.

Dyslipidemia is a condition marked by high LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels and low HDL cholesterol levels. “Daily consumption of 45 grammes of almonds in any form (crushed, wholesome, or in snacks) can help reduce dyslipidemia,” Soumik Kalita, the lead author of the study, told PTI.

“Typically, dietary strategies to reduce harmful LDL-cholesterol, such as decreasing saturated fat, also reduce beneficial HDL cholesterol, but that is not the case with almonds,” said Kalita, founder of Gurgaon-based FamPhy, a network of home visiting doctors.

He noted that the review of 16,97 publications is the first to quantify the relationship between almond intake and cardiovascular disease.

The review also included a study conducted in India that showed the inclusion of almonds in daily diets contributed towards reduced abdominal fat which is known to be a major factor in metabolic syndrome and ischemic heart disease (IHD).

Cardiovascular diseases account for 28 per cent of all deaths in India, more than any other cause. Due to their genetic makeup Southeast Asians - especially Indians - have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, characterised by elevated levels of harmful LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and lower levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol, Kalita said