Higher nut intake ‘linked with lower mortality rates’

People who eat a large amount of nuts on a daily basis are less likely to die early than those who do not, according to a new study.

Carried out by Maastricht University and published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, the study analysed figures dating back to 1986 among more than 120,000 Dutch people aged between 55 and 69 in the Netherlands Cohort Study.

It was found that men and women who eat at least ten grams of nuts or peanuts per day have a lower risk of dying from cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory and neurodegenerative diseases.

A higher intake was not associated with further reduction in mortality risk, while the beneficial effects were not shared by those consuming peanut butter.

Project leader and epidemiologist Professor Piet van den Brandt said: "It was remarkable that substantially lower mortality was already observed at consumption levels of 15 grams of nuts or peanuts on average per day."

This positive effect is thought to be due to the fact that peanuts and tree nuts both contain compounds such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, various vitamins, fibre, antioxidants and other bioactive compounds.