If you needed another reason to snack, a new study reveals a link between eating nuts or peanuts and lower mortality rates. The study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology confirms – and builds upon – earlier results from American and Asian studies on the relationships between nut or peanut intake and cardiovascular deaths. However, this is the first study to show such wide-ranging benefits, beyond heart health and weight management that we’d known about – and championed – for years.
The findings? Enjoying 10 grams, or about a half a handful, of peanuts or nuts a day was found to lower one’s risk of dying from respiratory disease, neurodegenerative disease, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Interestingly, just a snack will do the trick! Project leader Professor Piet van den Brandy said, “A higher intake was not associated with further reduction in mortality risk.”
Researchers from Maastricht University in Holland have been looking into this correlation since 1986, studying more than 120,000 Dutch men and women, aged 55-69. So what makes peanuts a life-saving snack? All the healthy reasons we already love them, such as fibre, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and an array of vitamins! So next time the need to snack strikes, reach for a peanuts; you could be saving your life.
Sources: International Journal of Epidemiology, Telegraph.co.uk