A HANDFUL OF NUTS A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY

Doctors describe them as “natural health capsules”. Now one of the biggest studies of its kind suggests that a handful of hazelnuts, cashews, pistachios or Brazil nuts five times a week cuts the risk of heart disease by up to a quarter.

People who ate nuts frequently were significantly less likely to have blocked arteries or heart attacks, scientists found.

Nuts contain vitamins and healthy fatty acids that are thought to help to cut cholesterol and blood sugar. In the study, Harvard researchers used data on 210,000 doctors and nurses to look at the links between nut-eating and the 14,000 who suffered heart disease.

Those who ate nuts five times a week were 14 per cent less likely to suffer heart attacks and 20 per cent less likely to have heart disease. Each 28g serving of nuts was linked with a 13 per cent further reduction in heart disease. People who often ate nuts were also 24 per cent less likely to die of heart disease during the three decades of the study.

The largest benefits appeared to come with tree nuts, such as Cashews, Hazelnuts, Pistachios and Brazil Nuts, where frequent consumption was linked to a 23 per cent lower risk of heart problems stemming from clogged arteries. Walnut-eaters had a 19 per cent lower risk. No benefit was seen for peanut butter.

Source: The UK Times