Reduce Your Belly Fat With Almonds

A handful of almonds a day could be the key to a longer and shapelier life.

The nutrient-rich snack can get rid of your muffin top, give you slimmer legs and stave off heart disease by reducing cholesterol, scientists say.

And eating 42g (1.5 oz) of the superfood every day could reduce the likelihood of an early death.

Experts from Pennsylvania State University compared the diets of 52 overweight, middle-aged adults with high-cholesterol over 12 weeks.

Previous studies have shown that an almond diet is linked to improved heart health - but scientists say this is the largest controlled study to date.

As part of the experiment, which was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, half of the group were fed a banana muffin for six weeks that provided the same number of calories as whole natural almonds.

Despite no differences in weight between the two groups, the almond diet was found to significantly reduce belly fat, waist circumference and leg fat.

'Choosing almonds as a snack may be a simple way to help fight the onset of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.'

There are 160 calories in an ounce of almonds as well as protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. 

For people at risk of diabetes, eating the nuts moderates blood sugar levels, one study found.  

Almonds are high in beneficial monounsaturated fats and vitamin E, which protects against UV light damage and Alzheimer’s, according to six studies presented to the American Society of Nutrition Scientific Sessions in San Diego in April last year.   

The skin has a collection of flavonoids that act as antioxidants and enhance the effect of vitamin E that could be beneficial as we age.  

This study was funded by the Almond Board of California. 

Source: Mailonline