Eating Nuts is Good For Your Health

Unless you are one of the unfortunates who suffer from a peanut allergy, everyone should include nuts into their regular eating routine.  Nuts are not only a great source of protein and good fat, they offer other health benefits, as well.

In recent years studies indicate that nuts may reduce cardiovascular risk for both healthy men and men who have already suffered a heart attack. The mechanism through which nuts work their magic are not yet understood, but the medical community has some ideas about why nuts are good for us.

• Because they replace foods that may be less healthy¸ nuts may help lower cholesterol
• Nuts contain heart healthy mono- and poly-unsaturated fats
• Walnuts contain omega-3 fats which have a wide-range of purported benefits, including protection against irregular heart beat
• Nuts contain a variety of nutrients – arginine, fiber, vitamin E – that may improve blood vessel function and help lower cardiovascular risk factors

Nuts make great snacks and can serve as a great replacement for some of the unhealthier snack options that many people reach for when they are hungry.  Because of nuts fat and protein content, a few nuts can go a long way towards satisfying, and staving off, hunger. Practice moderation in all things, including your intake of nuts.  Over eating is over eating, regardless of how “healthy” a food may be, and excess calories from any source of food can result in a gain of body weight.  Limit yourself to a handful or two of nuts at snack time and you’ll improve your chances of deriving the benefits offered by nuts. You don’t just have to eat peanuts, as there are plenty of nut varieties available including

• Almonds
• Brazil nuts
• Cashews
• Filberts
• Pistachios
• Walnuts

Make nuts a part of your regular diet.