If you didn’t already know, adding nuts to your diet can have a significant impact on your heart health. According to the cardiologists at DiVagno Interventional Cardiology, M.D., P.A., in Rochelle Park, New Jersey, these tasty little snacks are loaded with minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants known to protect against heart disease and other disorders.

Here are just a few ways eating nuts on a daily basis will improve your heart health:

• Lower Bad Cholesterol: Although the reasoning behind it isn’t yet entirely clear, both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in nuts are believed to help lower bad cholesterol. Also, all nuts are a good source of fiber, which can help to keep your cholesterol levels low.
• Decrease Risk of Arrhythmia: Even though most people think of fish when discussing Omega-3 fatty acids, nuts—such as walnuts, butternuts, beechnuts, and pecans—are good sources of this polyunsaturated fat. Research from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) found that consuming Omega-3s is a substantial way to protect and prevent arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeats), which are known to cause sudden death.
• Stop Plaque Development in the Arteries: When plaque is allowed to build up in the arteries, blood flow to the heart is restricted, and this can result in chest pain, heart disease, or even a heart attack. Consuming Vitamin E is an effective way to stop this development in its tracks, and nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, and pine nuts are excellent sources for this vitamin.

If you would like to learn more about which nuts and other foods are beneficial to your heart health, contact the cardiac care team at DiVagno Interventional Cardiology, M.D., P.A., today. You can schedule a consultation with one of their cardiologists by calling (201) 845-3535, or visit them online for more information about the cardiovascular services they provide.