‘Tree Nuts' Stave Off Heart Disease, Diabetes And Obesity, Claims Study

A handful of nuts a day really does keep the heart doctor away - as ‘tree nuts’ help prevent heart disease, obesity and diabetes, a recent study has discovered.
Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios and walnuts are among the ‘tree nut’ family that contain high levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (good cholesterol) and low levels of C-reactive proteins (the main cause of inflammation in the body and heart).
Scientists from the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center are dubbing these health-boosting nuts the latest ‘superfoods’ for healthy hearts after testing their benefits on over 13,000 participants.
Another additional health bonus of snacking on nuts is they can maintain a trim waistline too, as researchers discovered that regular ‘tree nut’ consumption led to lower risk of abdominal obesity.
Researchers also discovered that nut eaters have a 5% lower chance of developing metabolic syndrome (a clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and chosterol).
“One of the more interesting findings was the fact that tree nut consumers had lower body weight, as well as lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference compared to non-consumers,” study author Carol O’Neil said in a statement, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Maureen Ternus from the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation said in a statement: “In light of these new data and the fact that the FDA has issued a qualified health claim for nuts and heart disease with a recommended intake of 1.5 ounces of nuts per day, we need to educate people about the importance of including tree nuts in the diet.
However, this isn’t the first time nuts have been credited for their weight-loss abilities. Last year, the University of Barcelona discovered that eating a small portion of mixed buts a day helps aid weight-loss.
Scientists have found a link between eating nuts and higher levels of serotonin, a hormone that is most commonly known for boosting happiness but also decreases appetite and improves heart health.
Walnuts hit the headlines recently after scientists hailed them as the latest superfood for reducing the risk of prostate cancer.
According to researchers from the University of California Davis, men who eat walnuts see their prostate cancer risks drop.
They also benefit from the nut's vitamin-packed health boosts, such as omega-3 fatty acids, inflammation-fighting vitamin E and a plentiful of antioxidants.
Health benefits aside, nuts are most notorious for their high calorie-count. Take a look at how many calories your favourite nut contains, according to the WeightLossResource (based on 100g and unsalted):

• Almonds: 611kcal


• Brazil nuts: 687kcal



• Cashew nuts: 584kcal



• Chestnuts: 170kcal



• Hazelnuts: 655kcal



• Walnuts: 691kcal

Article Source

Curry could keep your heart healthy

There's never been a better excuse to tuck into a spicy curry because researchers have found that chillies could help to protect against heart disease.

The Daily Mail reports that researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong have found that the compounds that give cayennes, jalapeños and other chilli peppers their heat can help to lower blood pressure and reduce blood cholesterol.

Scientists looked at substances called 'capsaicinoids', which is what gives chillies their spicy kick.

In one study they gave two groups of hamsters high-cholesterol diets, before giving one group food with varying amounts of capsaicinoids while the other control group had foods with no capsaicinoids.

They found that the spicy foods lowered levels of bad cholesterol by breaking it down and making it easier for the body to excrete.

They also blocked the action of a gene that makes the arteries contract, restricting the flow of blood to the heart and other organs. This had the effect of relaxing muscles and allowing the blood to flow more easily.

Study author Dr Zhen-Yu Chen said: "We concluded that capsaicinoids were beneficial in improving a range of factors related to heart and blood vessel health.

"But we do certainly not recommend that people start consuming chillies to excess. A good diet is a matter of balance. And remember, chillies are no substitute for the prescription medications proven to be beneficial. They may be a nice supplement, however, for people who find the hot flavour pleasant."

Article Source