Tuck into walnuts for a crunchy superfood snack that can reduce heart disease
By Daily Mail Reporters Last updated at 10:50 PM on 27th March 2011 Nutty goodness: Tree and ground nuts are generally said to be among Nature's most perfect ready-made foods Eating just seven walnuts a day could protect your health, research suggests. The Christmas favourites contain almost twice as much antioxidants as any other popular nut, as well as fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. Study leader Dr Joe Vinson, from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, in the U.S., said: 'Walnuts rank above peanuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios and other nuts. 'A handful of walnuts contains almost twice as much antioxidants as an equivalent amount of any other commonly consumed nut. But unfortunately, people don't eat a lot of them. ‘This study suggests that consumers should eat more walnuts as part of a healthy diet.’ Dr Vinson said eating around seven walnuts a day was best to get the maximum health benefit. Including nuts in your regular diet can reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and type-2 diabetes, studies have suggested. Scientists analysed the antioxidant content of nine different types of popular nut, including walnuts, almonds and peanuts. Dr Vinson's team found that walnuts not only had more antioxidants than other nuts, but more powerful antioxidants. Those in walnuts were between two and 15 times more potent than vitamin E, renowned for its antioxidant properties. The findings were presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Anaheim, California. Health nut: Scientists say a handful of walnuts contains almost twice as much antioxidants as an equivalent amount of any other commonly consumed nut Dr Vinson said another advantage of walnuts was that they were usually eaten in their natural state, rather than being roasted. 'The heat from roasting nuts generally reduces the quality of the antioxidants,' he added. Nuts account for barely 8% of the daily antioxidant consumption in an average person's diet. Dr Vinson said many people were put off nuts because they were thought to be fattening. But he pointed out that nuts generally contain healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats rather than artery-clogging saturated fat. Eating nuts did not appear to cause weight gain and might even reduce over-eating by making people feel full. Around seven walnuts a day was the right amount to eat to get the maximum health benefit, said Dr Vinson Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1370481/Tuck-walnuts-crunchy-superfood-snack-reduce-heart-disease.html#ixzz1HsCOCcVL
