Nuts really do seem to be good for us. We have blogged about them a number of times, they lower bad cholesterol levels, can reduce certain types of cancer and lower overall chance of death.
This time, we are talking cardiovascular disease. Published in the Nutrition Journal, the researchers wanted to see if there was an association between tree nut consumption (so not including peanuts) and incidence of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.
Taking data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which is designed “to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States” they split the people into two groups, non consumers and consumers. People were classed as consumers if they ate more than a quarter of an ounce (that’s approx. 7 grams for us metric people) of tree nuts per day.
They found that those that consumed tree nuts had a lower body mass index, lower blood pressure and smaller waist circumference. They also had higher levels of good cholesterol in their blood and had less chance of being obese.
So, what are you waiting for, go nuts!