An August 2017 study by Penn State University found that, “Eating almonds on a regular basis may help boost levels of HDL cholesterol while simultaneously improving the way it removes cholesterol from the body.”
"There's a lot of research out there that shows a diet that includes almonds lowers low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for heart disease … But not as much was known about how almonds affect HDL cholesterol, which is considered good cholesterol and helps lower your risk of heart disease."
The researchers concluded, "If people incorporate almonds into their diet, they should expect multiple benefits, including ones that can improve heart health …They're not a cure-all, but when eaten in moderation -- and especially when eaten instead of a food of lower nutritional value -- they're a great addition to an already healthy diet."
Source: EurekAlert!, the online, global news service operated by AAAS, the science society.