Three new studies tie the consumption of nuts to a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and sudden heart attacks. Two studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggest that Vitamin E and other antioxidants in nuts, leafy green vegetables and other foods - not supplements - may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. Almonds are a good choice because they are higher in alpha - tocopherol Vitamin E, the form of E the body absorbs and uses the best, than any other food. A study released in the Archives of Internal Medicine examined the nut consumption of more than 21,000 male doctors since 1982. Those who ate 1 ounce of nuts at least twice a week had a 47% lower risk of sudden cardiac death and a 30% lover risk of coronary heart disease death than those who didn't eat nuts at all. A handful of almonds (about 1 ounce) contains just 164 calories and provides Vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, potassium and zinc, as well as protein, monounsaturated fat and fiber.

Remember, adding nuts to a diet already sufficient in calories and fat means you need to take out calories elsewhere.