Studies show that eating raw organic nuts may help you live longer

(NaturalNews) One of the worst things about the low-fat craze - which gripped America and other parts of the West for decades and is only now slowly eroding as people realize that fat can be healthy after all - was the fact that so many people avoided nuts in their diet. While it is true that nuts are what is considered to be a calorie-dense food - high in fat as well as protein - this does not necessarily mean that, when eaten in moderation, they are unhealthy. As a matter of fact, research is increasingly coming to light which shows nuts to be one of the great health foods. They are a great part of a balanced diet and are appropriate for people with a number of health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases that can cause so much damage. Let's take a look at the past and future research on the benefits of adding nuts to the diet.

Recent and past studies

One recent study which has many people in the nutrition and health world talking is the one conducted at Maastricht University in Germany. This study found that those who consumed nuts daily (at least 0.3 ounces) have a reduced risk of many serious chronic diseases. More specifically, this nut consumption reduced the risk of diabetes by 30 percent, of cancer by 39 percent and of degenerative neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease by a whopping 45 percent.

This needs to be taken in the context of other, less recent studies which also highlighted the benefits of nut consumption. A long-term study from Harvard University which tracked patients for 30 years found that those who consumed nuts on the daily basis were 20 percent less likely to die for any reason than those who did not consume such high amounts of nuts in their diets. In another study, published in The Annals of Internal Medicine, scientists found that a nut-rich diet for women was linked to not only a longer life, but one less likely to include chronic disease.

Why are nuts so healthy?

Nuts are now considered to be a vital part of any healthy diet because of their make-up. They are high in healthful fats and proteins as well as containing some non-starchy carbohydrates, which make them an excellent choice for people who have diabetes or are obese, as they can actually aid in weight loss. They are also rich in an amino acid called L-arginine, which can support the health of the blood vessels surrounding the heart, and thus the heart itself. They are also rich sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber which can support the general health of the body.

So don't be afraid to snack on a handful of pecans, or add those almonds to the morning oatmeal! Research is consistently showing that far from being bad for the body, nuts actually offer a whole array of benefits that have been linked to reduced changes in chronic disease as well as to improvement in general health and well-being.

Sources:

http://qz.com

http://www.northjersey.com

http://healthland.time.com

About the author:
Sandeep has written many health field articles for both Internet and print publication. He currently writing for insurancetips4u.co.

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