Consuming Nuts Three Times a Week Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases

A latest study published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Medicine states that people who eat nuts are likely to live longer.

The study states that people who eat nuts especially walnuts, three times a week, have a lower risk of dying from cancer or cardiovascular diseases.

The PREDIMED nutrition trial focused on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease of over 7000 older people of ages 55-90. They were given the Mediterranean diet supplement with extra virgin olive oil or nuts and the control group were given a low fat diet.

Compared to other countries, the Mediterranean regions have a higher nut consumption. Those who eat nuts have a lower BMI and smaller waist. Apart from this, they are less likely to smoke and are physically active. In general, nut eating is linked to a better diet as these people tend to eat more  vegetables, fish and fruits too.

In the study, the group which ate nuts, only a few had type 2 diabetes or were taking medication for hypertension. The mortality risk for those who ate nuts was 39 percent lower while in walnut eaters the mortality risk was 45 percent lower.

Those who took more than 3 serving of nuts a week reduced the risk of early death due to cardiovascular disease by 55 percent and cancer by 40 percent. Same effect was witnessed in walnuts.

Prof Jordi Salas-Salvado, from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili who led this study explained, "Quite how nuts are able prevent premature mortality is not entirely clear, nor why walnut should be better for you than other nuts. Walnuts have particularly high content of alpha-linoleic acid and phytochemicals, especially in their 'skin' both of which, along with fibre and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, may contribute to their healthy effect."