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Here’s something to go nuts over.

Eating just a handful of this healthy snack a day could stave off a scary syndrome that affects a whopping 1 in 3 Americans, according to a new study in the journalNutrition Research.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that includes at least three of the following: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, elevated triglycerides, poor HDL cholesterol and excessive belly fat.

People who have metabolic syndrome are at heightened risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease — and recent studies have even linked the collection of conditions to dementia and poor cognitive health.

“Evidence suggests that people with metabolic syndrome are three times as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke and twice as likely to die from coronary heart disease compared to people without this condition,” lead study author Emily Ho, director of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University,said in a statement.

“Poor diet and inactivity contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome, and gut health and chronic inflammation may also play roles.”

Luckily, the study found that consuming two daily ounces ofalmonds— roughly 45 nuts — translated to significant drops in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and waist circumference.

In a 12-week clinical trial, researchers analyzed the data of two groups of people 35 to 60 years old with metabolic syndrome.

One group ate 320 calories worth of almonds every day, while the other group had 320 calories worth of crackers.

As expected, bloodwork showed that the almond group had much higher levels of vitamin E — an antioxidant that calms inflammation and supports heart, nerve and muscle health.

The almond group also saw reductions in gut inflammation, which is important because abalanced microbiomeis crucial for overall and long-term health.

There are many reasons why almonds could benefit gut health, said study co-author Laura Beaver, a research associate in the Oregon State College of Health.

“In addition to vitamin E, almonds have polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, fiber, polyphenols, biotin, copper, potassium and magnesium,” she said.

“A full assessment of the nutritional impact of almonds is ongoing, but the changes in cholesterol levels we saw suggest that a metabolic shift occurred in people who snacked on almonds daily.”

The findings align with previous studies touting the health benefits of this popular nut.

A 2023 study found that eating a handful of nuts a day canslash the risk of heart diseaseby as much as 25%.

Some research has shown thatalmonds can help fight wrinkles, not least of all because only one ounce of almonds provides about 50% of the daily recommended intake for vitamin E.

And a study out of Spain suggests eating 30 grams of nuts every day can helplower the risk of depressionin adults.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -China's Huawei Technologies is capable of producing no more than 200,000 advanced artificial intelligence chips in 2025, a top U.S. exports controls official told lawmakers on Thursday, warning that though the number is below the company's demand, China is quickly catching up to U.S. capabilities.

Since 2019, a slew of U.S. export rules aimed at curbing China's technological and military advancements have limited access by Huawei and other Chinese firms to high-end U.S. chips and the equipment needed to produce them. The issue has become a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations.

Facing those restrictions, Huawei aims to ship its Ascend 910C AI chips to Chinese customers as an alternative to those made by the United States' Nvidia, the global leader.

"Our assessment is that Huawei Ascend chip production capacity for 2025 will be at or below 200,000 and we project that most or all of that will be delivered to companies within China," Jeffrey Kessler, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security at the Commerce Department, told a congressional hearing.

Kessler said that the U.S. should not take comfort in the figure.

"China is investing huge amounts to increase its AI chip production, as well as the capabilities of the chips that it produces. So, it's critical for us not to have a false sense of security, to understand that China is catching up quickly," he told the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs South and Central Asia subcommittee.

White House AI Czar David Sacks said on Tuesday that China was only 3-6 months behind the U.S. in AI. The White House later said he was referring to China's AI models, adding that Chinese AI chips are one to two years behind their U.S. counterparts.

Huawei's CEO Ren Zhengfei told Chinese state media on Tuesday that the company's chips were a generation behind those of U.S. competitors, but that it invests more than $25 billion annually to improve performance.

Nvidia's AI chips are more powerful than Huawei's but Washington's export controls on its most sophisticated chips have caused it to lose market share.

The U.S. and China reached a tentative trade truce at talks in London this week after a previous agreement faltered over China's continued curbs on minerals exports.

That prompted the Trump administration to apply additional export controls on shipments of semiconductor design software, jet engines for Chinese-made planes and other goods.

Democratic Representative Greg Meeks expressed concern that the Trump administration had conflated U.S. exports controls with broader discussions on trade.

"What I will say is export controls have been strong and I'm confident that they will remain strong," Kessler said.

Kessler said he was not planning any immediate new restrictions on U.S. semiconductors sold to China, but that the Commerce Department will "remain active in this space."

"It's a constantly evolving landscape, and we need to make sure that our controls remain effective," he said.

(Reporting by Michael Martina, David Shepardson, Karen Freifeld; Editing by Don Durfee and Chizu Nomiyama )

Here's What Happens to Your Blood Pressure When You Eat Blueberries Every Dayoriginally appeared onParade.

The nutritional advice toeat fruit dailyis pretty commonplace, but are all fruits created equal?We'll say this: Different fruits have different health benefits, so it’s probably best to consider your health goals when picking a few out. For example, if heart health is a concern, particularlylowering blood pressure, blueberries may be the fruit to add to your grocery list.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊It’s hard to be mad about this news when blueberries are so delicious. But did you know they don’t have to be eaten plain to have benefits? We’ll get into the research, but don’t forget to bookmark thesesummer-friendly blueberry recipesuntil then. However you choose to eat them, blueberries are packing the punch that you (and your doctor) are looking for.Read on for input from a cardiologist and dietitian about how blueberries help with blood pressure concerns, how many to eat per day and other heart-healthy foods to prioritize.

The easy explanation is that blueberries have a compound that boosts blood vessel flow, which can lower blood pressure.Related:Whether You’re Dealing With High Blood Pressure or Want to Avoid It in the Future, Here Are the 25 Best Foods to EatThe more scientific answer? “This may be due to their high levels of anthocyanin flavonoid, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that helps to improve the function of endothelial cells in blood vessels,” saysDr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD,a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. “This, in turn, improves the blood vessel’s ability to relax and improves blood pressure control.”More specifically, a2019 study inThe Journals of Gerontologyfound that eating blueberries daily can decrease systolic blood pressure by about 5 millimeters of mercury. Further,systolic blood pressure(the upper number that shows how hard the heart pumps blood into the arteries) is thebest way to predict future cardiovascular events, according to the American Heart Association.

Sophie Lauver, MS, RD, LDN, HWC,a registered dietitian at Aeroflow Diabetes, explains how that happens. “It’s suspected that the anthocyanins might increase nitric oxide production in the body, which increases blood flow to thearteries,” she says. “Blueberries might also help reduce arterial stiffness, which is when our arteries can’t expand and contract as well in response to blood pressure changes. This stiffness, like high blood pressure, can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.”Blueberries are also high in fiber, she adds, and a diet high inhigh-fiber foodsis associated with lower blood pressure.These benefits ring true for multiple populations.Kit Broihier, MS, RD, LD,a nutrition advisor atWild Blueberry Association of North America, points to research that suggests this forhealthy older individualsandpost-menopausal women, for example. In those studies, participants didn’t necessarily eat blueberries as is, but in the form of freeze-dried wild blueberry powder—and yep, their blood pressure still decreased.Lower blood pressure isn’t the only health win to anticipate with increased blueberry consumption. Lauver says the anthocyanins in blueberries can protect against aging, disease, stress andinflammationtoo. Blueberries can also help maintain memory function, are high in vitamin C and K, and haveseveral other benefits.Related:What Happens to Your Body if You Eat Blueberries Every Day, According to a Registered Dietitian

The answer is clear: Eating blueberries each day is a great way to take care of your heart health. But how many?Dr. Chen generally recommends two cups of fruit per day, which can include a cup of blueberries as part of a rotation of various fruits.Pointing to the 2019 study mentioned above, Lauver agrees that when it comes to blueberries, about a cup a day is a great starting point.

Related:Want To Improve Your Heart Health? Here’s the Type of Fruit a Cardiologist Is Begging You To Eat More Of

For even extra benefits, consider opting for wild blueberries versus regular blueberries. (The former are usually found in the frozen section.)

“The berries are picked at peak ripeness and frozen right away, helping lock in their nutrients and flavors,” Broihier explains. “Wild blueberries may be small, but they pack a big punch—especially when compared to regular cultivated blueberries. Because they're smaller, you get more berries (and more nutrient-rich skin) in every cup.”Specifically, she says wild blueberries provide twice the antioxidant power, 33 percent more anthocyanins and 72 percent more fiber. Pretty cool, right? Wild blueberries also have a more intense blueberry flavor, she adds, making them the tastier option. (Enough said.)

Dr. Chen and Lauver highlight the following foods as great options that lower blood pressure:

Fruits that are rich in anthocyanins, such as strawberries, blackberries and raspberries

Fruits that are rich in flavonoids, such as oranges and lemons

Potassium-rich foods, such as bananas, kiwi, watermelon, sweet potatoes, apricots, cantaloupe, spinach, dried fruit and lentils

With items like that on the menu, taking care of your blood pressure with what you eat doesn’t sound so bad after all.

Related: Adding This One Berry to Your Breakfast Slashes LDL Cholesterol, According to Cardiologists

Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD,a board-certified interventional cardiologist

Sophie Lauver, MS, RD, LDN, NBC-HWC, a registered dietitian

Kit Broihier, MS, RD, LD, a nutrition advisor

Circulating Anthocyanin Metabolites Mediate Vascular Benefits of Blueberries: Insights From Randomized Controlled Trials, Metabolomics, and Nutrigenomics,The Journal of Gerontology

Which blood pressure number matters most? The answer might depend on your age, American Heart Association

Wild blueberry (poly)phenols can improve vascular function and cognitive performance in healthy older individuals: a double-blind randomized controlled trial,The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Daily blueberry consumption for 12 weeks improves endothelial function in postmenopausal women with above-normal blood pressure through reductions in oxidative stress: a randomized controlled trial,Food & Function

Blueberries and Health, USDA Agricultural Research Service

Here's What Happens to Your Blood Pressure When You Eat Blueberries Every Dayfirst appeared on Parade on Jun 12, 2025

This story was originally reported byParadeon Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.