Eat Peanuts: You May Live Longer In the first study of its kind, eating nuts, including peanuts, has been linked to fewer deaths across ethnic groups, even for people who had metabolic conditions like morbid obesity or diabetes, were smokers, or drank alcohol. Nuts in particular have fiber, which can help lower LDL cholesterol, supply ample vitamin E, and even have L-arginine, all of which keep your arteries healthy and free of plaque buildup. If you can keep your arteries healthy you will be less likely to suffer many chronic medical conditions. Deaths from heart diseases and strokes were 20 percent less likely over the five years of the large study of more than 200,000 people, even for those who included small amounts of nuts or peanuts in their daily diets, compared with people who ate no nuts at all. The results of the study conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, the Shanghai Cancer Institute in China, and the Harvard School of Public Health were just published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Consumption of nuts, particularly peanuts given their general affordability, may be considered a cost-effective measure to improve cardiovascular health. The key message is that nuts are incredibly heart-healthy and can allow people to live longer and more productive lives. Why Nuts Are So Healthy Nut oils contain more polyunsaturated fats than saturated making them a healthy choice. Beyond the healthy fats, nuts and peanuts are a good source of protein, fiber, and nutrients. Nuts contain a "handful of vitamins and minerals," plus: 1. Arginine, an amino acid that may help decrease blood pressure. 2. Resveratrol, which can help reduce inflammation. 3. Phytosterols, which can help reduce cholesterol. 4. Flavonoids, which reduce inflammation and may inhibit platelets from sticking to arteries. Nuts and peanuts are also high in calcium, magnesium, and potassium. When we eat food, we look at the package deal in concert with the diet. A nut does have a lot of value in the nutrient package. Nuts also have another important advantage: Satiation. By Jennifer J. Brown, PhD
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