Nuts could be set to join the list of superfoods after a new study unveiled at the World Cardilogy Congress in Barcelona showed that they can reduce the risk of heart disease.
The research indicates that eating two 30g handfuls of nuts a week may reduce the risk of death from coronary heart disease by 11 per cent.
Those who regularly eat peanuts have higher intakes of vitamin E, folate, magnesium, zinc, iron, heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and dietary fibre than people who rarely eat peanuts, according to the study.
The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC) study was designed to investigate the relationship between diet, nutritional status, lifestyle and incidence of cancer and heart disease across 10 European countries including the UK. Information on diet and lifestyle, including nut consumption, was collected from nearly 400,000 people between 1993 and 1999.
The results showed that nearly half of Europeans rarely consume nuts.
Prof Elio Riboli, professor of cancer epidemiology at Imperial College, London, the UK arm of the research team, said: “The important thing is that very modest consumption is associated with protection. A small plate of nuts with a glass of wine would be a healthy amount. A classic aperitif accompanied by a dish of nuts at least twice a week would be an ideal combination.”
American Peanut Council dietitians have developed a peanut and wine diet plan that fits the popular snack into a healthy eating plan.
New ranges of unsalted American peanut varieties aimed at health-conscious consumers are being launched by innovative UK peanut manufacturers including Sun Valley Nutz and Planters Trail Mix.
