Researchers reporting in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine say nuts may help prevent the absorption of cholesterol.
Participants ate a small bag of nuts a day and most saw their cholesterol levels reduced by nearly seven-and-a-half percent.
Researchers say as well as improving cholesterol. They also reduced the amount of triglyceride, a type of blood fat that has been linked to heart disease.
Experts say nuts can be part of a healthy diet but warn against eating nuts covered in salt or sugar.