However, in addition to regular exercise and sometimes medication, high cholesterol levels can be lowered with a healthy diet.

And new research just published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , has found a snack that can also lower high cholesterol levels.

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The study, conducted by Pennsylvania State University in the US (Penn State), included 138 people aged 25 to 70 who had metabolic syndrome, including abdominal fat, high triglyceride levels, low good cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and high blood sugar.

Participants were divided into two groups: One group replaced their daily snacks with a small handful of walnuts every day, while the other group continued to eat as usual.

The authors collected blood test and vascular health data from participants at the beginning and end of the 12-week study. All participants also stopped eating all other nuts and snacking throughout the study.

Results found that people who snacked on walnuts had improved cholesterol levels and a reduced risk of heart disease, compared to those who did not. Specifically, they had reduced total cholesterol, bad cholesterol, and triglycerides.

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Researchers concluded that replacing regular snacks with walnuts may improve cholesterol levels.

Snacking on walnuts improves key risk factors for heart disease including blood cholesterol levels and diet quality, said study author Kristina Petersen, associate professor of nutritional sciences at Penn State, according to ScitechDaily.

Those who snacked on walnuts had significantly improved diet quality, increasing their intake of unsaturated fats, fiber and polyphenols - factors that may contribute to improved cholesterol levels as the results suggest, especially the effect of lowering bad cholesterol, explains Kristina Petersen.

However, because walnuts are high in fat, consuming too much will cause weight gain. So moderation is key to maximizing the benefits, experts recommend eating about 15 to 19 small pieces per day (about 28 grams), according to Healthline .