How an Apple a Day Could Keep the Cardiologist Away

An apple a day could keep the cardiologist away by lowering bad cholesterol. Apples were found to be more effective than a supplement containing an antioxidant found in the fruit.

A new study suggests that eating apples each day could significantly improve the heart health of middle-aged adults in just one month.

Those who ate a daily apple over four weeks lowered 'bad' cholesterol in the blood by 40 per cent - a substance linked to hardening of the arteries. Read more

Nuts May Prevent Heart Disease

A new study found that eating walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds contributed to heart health.

A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Barcelona in collaboration with the Human Nutrition Unit of the Rovira i Virgili University in Tarragona, reveals that eating nuts can elevate serotonin levels in the bodies of individuals suffering from metabolic syndrome (which puts them at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes). Unfortunately, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the USA alone has been estimated at approximately 25%.

Serotonin is an important hormone and neurotransmitter with a dual function in the human body. While it is located mostly in the enterochromaffin cells in the gut, where it regulates intestinal movement, smaller amounts of serotonin can also be found in the central nervous system, where it helps regulate mood, appetite and sleep. Moreover, elevated serotonin levels correlate positively with good heart health. Read more