Can almonds slim down a fat tummy?

A HANDFUL of almonds a day can lower cholesterol and reduce tummy fat, report researchers from Pennsylvania State University in the U.S.

They monitored 48 people who had the same daily diet, but half of them also had 1½ oz (30 almonds) a day. After six weeks, the almond eaters had less bad cholesterol and less abdominal and upper leg fat.

Almonds contain monounsaturated fat, good for heart health, as well as magnesium and potassium, known to lower blood pressure. It’s also thought almonds have an effect on enzymes involved in the processing of cholesterol.

It’s not clear exactly why the almond eaters had less body fat.