Health Watch: Cholesterol-friendly Snacks
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Oct 14, 2006, 14:54
Are there any snacks that defend the body from producing more cholesterol?
Aside from the usual means of lowering cholesterol, diet and exercise, certain tasty snacks work against cholesterol. The recent findings of a new report shows that certain nuts and seeds contain a cholesterol defending agent, phytosterols. Pistaschios and sunflower have an abundant supply of the cholesterol-reducing element, phytysterols.
The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, contends that although other nuts contain phytosterol, not all types have the same amounts. Found in plant-based foods, phytosterols bear a close resemblance to the molecular structure of cholesterol. Dissimilar to cholesterol, the body does not absorb phytosterols easily. As a result, scientist theorize that because the element is not taken in the body, it partially interrupt cholesterol from absorption, innately decreasing all levels of cholesterol.
So where do phytosterols come from? Derived from only in plant-based foods
Phytosterols are found only and very closely resemble the molecular structure of cholesterol. For weight and health watchers in quest of an easy means of maintaining a healthy heart, snack with phytosterols can serve two purposesÑdeliciousness and nutritional value.
Clinical trials on the phytosterols entailed the comparisons of a wide spectrum of nuts from cashews to walnuts. Findings showed the unpopular foods, sesame seeds and wheat germ to have the highest level of phytosterol. Researchers noted that sunflower seeds and pistachios ranked third and forth in the cholesterol interceptor. Since these seeds and nuts are popular snacks, medical investigators consider them to be ÒpracticalÓ nutty alternatives for people wanted to reduce their cholesterol. Nevertheless, the consumption of sunflower seeds and pistachios and alone will not lower oneÕs cholesterol. Diet and a regular fitness program are critical components of cholesterol reduction.
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