Six Great Reasons To Eat More Nuts!

Nuts have an underserved reputation as a fattening food group, and for that reason many people shy away from them. Doing so may not be a very good idea, however. According to science, nuts are healthy, and although they do tend to be calorie rich, research does not support the notion that they are fattening. Here are six great reasons to eat more nuts:

1. Nuts are the perfect snack food. If you need a high energy snack to get you through the day (or through a hike or a workout) make sure you’re carrying some nuts! Nuts are natural, nutritious snacks that you can easily carry with you wherever you go, they don’t need refrigeration or lots of preparation to eat. Just grab a bag of them and chew’em up when it suits you!
2. Nuts may help prevent heart attacks. According to research conducted at the LomaLinda University, eating nuts several times a week may help guard against heart attacks. And we’re not talking about a slight effect here: study participants who ate 60 grams of nuts four to five times a week halved their risk of suffering a heart attack. That is a stunning result, and – considering the prevalence of heart disease today – something to take note of for anyone.
3. Nuts can help support testosterone production. Due to a variety of lifestyle and diet factors, men today are on average lower in testosterone than their fathers were. This becomes a significant issue for many, as their testosterone deficiencies can cause all sorts of problems, both mental and physical. The fatty acids and minerals in nuts can help increase testosterone levels, or help prevent testosterone deficiencies in healthy men.
4. Nuts lower cholesterol. 60-90 grams of nuts daily can help reduce cholesterol levels by 10% , according to the Loma Linda study. So much for nuts being a high fat food that increases cholesterol (as has been postulated by many in the past).
5. Nuts may help prevent cancer. Research suggests that nuts protect against prostate, stomach and colon caner. One canadian study showed that a daily serving of nuts could help prevent prostate cancer by a whopping 30 percent.
6. Nuts help you maintain a healthy bodyweight. Even though nuts contain fats, the consumption of nuts is associated with a healthy bodyweight, and weight loss in overweight individuals. One reason for this is that nuts reduce sugar cravings, so that dieters are more able to avoid sweet snacks that may cause blood sugar problems and an increased calorie intake.

Nuts are rich in healthy fats, fiber, minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants. They also contain substances like arginine, an amino acid that can have a positive effect on blood pressure and heart health. And hey, they even taste great! Start eating more nuts today, and enjoy the benefits!