A nutty attempt to live longer

Some research caught my attention, and nutty as it may sound, the research showed that death from the leading causes (heart disease, cancer, and respiratory) was lower in ones with a higher nut consumption. This research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School looked at nut consumption and deaths from all causes among 76,464 women participating in the Nurse’s Health Study and 42,498 men involved in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. 

The nuts in this study were almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts.

One thing I liked about this research was that, though partially funded by the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation (a non-profit organization representing nine tree nut industries), they had no role in the research or results. This is how all studies should be conducted.

The research found that those who ate nuts seven or more times per week had a 20% lower death rate after four years than those who did not eat nuts. Nut consumers also tended to be leaner and more physically active than non-smokers.

Nuts, overall, are known to have heart-healthy fats and are loaded with protein and vitamins as well as antioxidants that are thought to be linked to a lower risk of heart disease, and heart disease is the number one killer in America! 

A study released by the CDC on 12-17-2014 found that about 60 percent of Americans don’t consume nuts daily, and the FDA says the ideal consumption is an ounce-and-a-half in their guidelines for reducing heart disease.

Research also seems to show positive results in protecting the brain from the cellular and cognitive dysfunction associated with the aging process and neurodegenerative diseases.  

The nuts in this excerpt were walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and pecans.  

Eating a variety of nuts should give added benefit from the various strong nutritional points of individual nuts, but eating the ones grown in your home area should be the best. Pecans do very well in my home area, so pecans would definitely be my number one choice. And though not considered a tree nut, the good ole Georgia peanut is also one that I like.

Keeping nuts around in areas where you’re most likely to eat snacks can be an excellent way to get more nuts in your diet and can be a constant reminder of what you are trying to do vs. aimlessly snacking on whatever happens to be in the vicinity. This will not only give you the potential benefits listed above but will also give you some very vital nutrients (proteins and fats) for your health and fitness goals!

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