Eating almonds reduces the risk of developing heart disease, a new research by the Aston University in the United Kingdom shows.

Researchers explained that almonds keep the blood vessels healthy thus preventing any heart ailment. Moreover, almonds also increase the amount of antioxidants in the blood stream significantly, reduce blood pressure and improve blood flow.

For the study, researchers examined the effects of a short-term almond-enriched diet on healthy young and middle-aged men. The results were compared to young men with cardiovascular risk symptoms such as high blood pressure or overweight. The control group were told to continue with their usual diet where the former group were given 50g of almonds every day for one month. 

The study findings showed that almond-eating group had higher levels of antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol) in their blood stream, improved blood flow and lower blood pressure and reduced risk of heart problems. 

"Our study confirms that almonds are a superfood. Previous studies have shown that they keep your heart healthy, but our research proves that it isn't too late to introduce them into your diet - adding even a handful (around 50g) every day for a short period can help. You could replace a daytime snack with a bag of almonds or add them to your regular meals like porridge or muesli to help reduce your risk of heart problems," Professor Helen Griffiths, Professor in Biomedical Sciences and Executive Dean of the School of Life and Health Sciences at Aston University in Birmingham, U.K., said in a press release.

The study was published in peer-reviewed journal Free Radical Research.