In a new study published in JAMA Internal Magazine, researchers found out that eating nuts lowers the risk of premature death, helping you live longer.
Diets of more than 200,000 people in China and the United States were looked into, which led researchers to find a link between consumption of nuts, including peanuts and peanut butter, and a decrease in risk of early death caused by heart disease and other health issues.
The study involved asking men and women regarding their nuts consumption. Those who consume a higher amount of nuts have reduced their risk of premature death caused by cardiovascular disease by about 20 percent, much higher than those who ate the least.
According to Dr. Xiao-Ou Shu, associate director of global health, the results support the previous evidence that nuts offer healthy benefits. Dr. Shu is also a professor of medicine at the Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.
"Nuts are rich in nutrients, such as unsaturated fatty acids, fiber, vitamins, phenolic antioxidants, arginine and other phytochemicals," Shu said. She added that these nutrients are a great help in the reduction of inflammation.
Despite the recent findings, Dr. Shu emphasized that there is no proof of certainty for the cause and effect, as the study was an observational approach, reports Philly.
"That said, the totality of evidence from nutrition and health research suggests that nut and peanut consumption can be considered a healthy lifestyle choice," she added.
In a relevant note, experts say it is crucial to consume a moderate amount, since nuts contain 80 percent of fat. Medical Daily earlier reported that the American Heart Association's recommendation is four servings of unoiled, unsalted nuts a week.