Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut

 

By now you probably know that nuts are nutritional powerhouses that help keep weight, blood sugar and cholesterol in check. But new research shows the ultimate benefit: Regularly eating nuts -- including pistachios, walnuts and even peanuts -- may help you live longer.

 

A study published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) looked at nut consumption and total mortality among more than 100,000 people over more than two decades. The findings were significant: People who ate nuts seven or more times a week had a 20% lower death rate than those who didn't eat nuts.

 

And that's not all. When researchers looked at specific causes of death, they found that regular nut-eaters were less likely to die of cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease than those who did not eat nuts.

 

This isn't the first study to show nuts may boost longevity. The Adventist Health Study, Iowa Women's Health Study and others found an inverse association between nut consumption and total mortality.

 

You don't have to gobble nuts like a squirrel to boost your health; just a handful (about one ounce) on most days is all it takes. The first benefit is nearly instant: Nuts help fill you up. Over time, nuts will help lower inflammation and cholesterol. And if you make nuts a part of your diet for the long haul, well -- they just may be the fountain of youth!