While nuts are high in fat, most of that fat is monounsaturated and not harmful to the heart and arteries like saturated fat. Monounsaturated fat, as part of a healthy diet, can lower your blood levels of LDL cholesterol, the bad cholesterol, without lowering your HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol. This may be one way that nuts protect your heart. Nuts also provide other nutrients that may protect your heart. Antioxidant nutrients may play a role in preventing heart disease.
Most nuts are good sources of antioxidants, including vitamin E and phytochemicals.
Peanuts are a good source of folic acid, a B-vitamin that may protect the heart by lowering homocysteine levels in the blood. High levels of this substance may damage arteries and lead to heart disease. Nuts supply varying amounts of minerals like copper, magnesium, calcium and potassium. Research is starting to show that diets rich in these minerals may help lower blood pressure or even prevent high blood pressure. Nuts are also higher in fiber and a good source of plant proteins.