A study has found that eating a few walnuts towards the end of a meal can help reduce the damage that greasy food does to arteries.
This is because eating high-fat food disrupts the production of nitric oxide in the artery walls. Walnuts, however, contain a component that reduces hardening of the arteries and keeps them supple, as well as antioxidants and alpha-linolenic acid. These all protect nitric oxide, which in turn protects the arteries and contributes to good health.
Health Perspective: Nitric oxide can promote fibroblasts to secrete collagen, which can increase skin elasticity. As a type of nut, eating walnuts after a meal can help prevent the disruption of nitric oxide production in the artery walls and can also effectively soften blood vessels.