Nuts cuts risk of heart disease and diabetes in women

A study of more than 6,000 women found those who ate lots of nuts or peanut butter slashed their risk of heart disease almost in half.

The women were asked to complete a food questionnaire every two to four years between 1980 and 2002.

The number of women suffering from conditions such as heart attack or stroke, or needing revascularisation treatment for heart disease, was also recorded.

Overall, there were 452 coronary "events" such as heart attack or revascularisation - surgery to improve bloody circulation - and 182 cases of stroke.

Women at the start of the study who consumed more nuts and peanut butter were leaner, more physically active, and tended to smoke less, the authors said.

After adjusting for those factors that could influence the results, the experts found that women who ate at least five servings per week of nuts or peanut butter had a 44 per cent lower risk of heart disease and events such as heart attack or stroke.

A serving was defined as 28g of nuts or 16g (one tablespoon) of peanut butter.

Many peanut products are full of salt and sugar which can cancel out any benefits so check your labels!

Ellen Mason, cardiac nurse for the British Heart Foundation mentioned that

"Eating more of one food in isolation will not make much difference to your health if you are inactive and don't have a balanced diet.

"Unfortunately, preventing heart disease is more complicated than just eating peanuts."

Source