Eating nuts linked with lower risk of fatal heart attack and stroke

Eating nuts twice a week is linked to lowering the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, scientists say.

Tucking into the savoury snacks was found to lower the risk by 17%, when compared to consuming them once every two weeks.

The research was presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress together with the World Congress of Cardiology.

Study author Dr Noushin Mohammadifard, of the Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute in Iran, said: “Nuts are a good source of unsaturated fat and contain little saturated fat.

“They also have protein, minerals, vitamins, fibre, phytosterols and polyphenols, which benefit heart health.

“European and US studies have related nuts with cardiovascular protection but there is limited evidence from the eastern Mediterranean region.”

The study examined the association between nut consumption and the risk of cardiovascular disease and death in the Iranian population.

A total of 5,432 adults aged 35 and older with no history of cardiovascular disease were randomly selected from urban and rural areas of the Isfahan, Arak and Najafabad counties.

Researchers assessed intake of nuts – including walnuts, almonds, pistachios and hazelnuts – and seeds in 2001 with a validated food frequency questionnaire.

Participants or family members were interviewed every two years until 2013 for the occurrence of cardiovascular events and death.

Scientists looked at coronary heart disease, stroke, total cardiovascular disease, death from any cause and death from cardiovascular disease.

During a median 12-year follow-up, there were 594 coronary heart disease and 157 stroke events, 179 cardiovascular deaths and 458 all-cause deaths.

Eating nuts two or more times per week was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to consuming nuts once every two weeks.

According to the researchers, the connection was robust even after adjusting for factors that could influence the relationship such as age, sex, education, smoking and physical activity.

Nut intake was inversely associated with the other outcomes but lost significance after adjustment.

ESC guidelines list 30 grams of unsalted nuts – around a small handful of mixed nuts – per day as one of the characteristics of a healthy diet, while noting that the energy density of nuts is high.

Dr Mohammadifard added: “Raw fresh nuts are the healthiest.

“Nuts should be fresh because unsaturated fats can become oxidised in stale nuts, making them harmful.

“You can tell if nuts are rancid by their paint-like smell and bitter or sour taste.”

The researchers say further studies with long duration follow-up, considering the types of nuts and preparation methods, are needed to assess what nuts are most effective.