Whether we’re at home or at a social outing, nuts are a universally beloved snack that we all indulge in. Peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecan nuts, pistachios, almonds, you name it. They all have their fans.
Now, a new study conducted by researchers from Maastricht University (in the Netherlands) has found that an irresistible taste may not be the only advantage that the delicious, salty treats have. Research has shown that they also reduce the chance of mortality among patients suffering from serious diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
The study, published On Thursday (June 11, 2015), in the Journal of Epidemiology, shows that people who consume at least 10 grams of peanuts or tree nuts (meaning cashews, pecans, almonds and walnuts) per day decreased their chance of dying before their time by 23 percent (23%). The results apply to both men and women.
Experts say that nuts contain vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which in turn offer protection against death from respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Peanut butter however does not to a darn thing to improve your health. You can go ahead and blame added salt, sugar, corn syrup, dextrose and vegetable oil for that injustice. Just two (2) tablespoons of peanut butter carry roughly 190 calories that can contribute to developing heart disease.
Piet van den Brandt, lead author and professor of Epidemiology at Maastricht University, gave a statement saying that “It was remarkable that substantially lower mortality was already observed at consumption levels of 15g of nuts or peanuts on average per day (half a handful). A higher intake was not associated with further reduction in mortality risk”.
For their study, the researchers examined data the Netherlands Cohort Study has collected over the course of 10 years, stating with 1986. They ended up looking at 120.000 people, both men and women, with the age between 55 and 69 years old. The subjects’ age, dietary habits and overall health were taken into account/
The results were that eating just 10 grams of nuts per day lowered a person’s chances of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia by 45 percent (45%). It lowered a person’s chances of developing respiratory disease by 39 percent (39%) and lowered a person’s chances of developing diabetes by 30 percent (30%).
Previous studies conducted by United States and Asian researchers have also shown how regularly eating nuts can lower the chance of dying from cardiovascular causes. Not only has the new study confirmed these findings, it also proved that nuts have many other health benefits.
Further research is needed, however, in order generalize the results as the sample group was only the Netherlands and most of them were health-conscious types.
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Gavin R. Putland says
Nuts prevent cancer? In the case of bowel/colorectal cancer, the surest way to prevent it is to have a colonoscopy, during which pre-cancerous “polyps” are removed (if you’re quick). — @grputland
Patricia Hellman says
Dementia and Alzheimers are some of the worst diseases as you can feel yourself slowly slip away. If eating nuts can prevent it, think I’ll go out and buy a big bag of planters. There are so many other causes though as mentionned here: https://www.curiosityaroused.com/health/10-causes-of-short-term-memory-loss/ . With all these causes, its gonna take a lot of nuts!