More evidence that nuts don't make you fat

Higher tree nut intake has been associated with lower risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity in a study of Seventh-Day Adventists conducted by Loma Linda University.

“Our results showed that one serving (28 g) of tree nuts per week was significantly associated with 7% less MetS,” said lead researcher Dr Karen Jaceldo-Siegl.

“Doubling this consumption could potentially reduce MetS risk by 14%. Interestingly, while overall nut consumption was associated with lower prevalence of MetS, tree nuts specifically appear to provide beneficial effects on MetS, independent of demographic, lifestyle and other dietary factors.”

The researchers studied 803 Seventh-Day Adventist adults using a validated food frequency questionnaire and assessed both tree nut and peanut intake together and separately.

The researchers also looked at the effect on obesity. “We found that high tree nut consumers had significantly lower prevalence of obesity compared to the low tree nut consumers,” said Dr Jaceldo-Siegl.

“And, high consumers of tree nuts had the lowest prevalence of obesity when compared to the low peanut/tree nut groups.”

This research follows a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that looked at nut consumption and all-cause mortality. “All of this new research supports the growing body of evidence showing that consuming nuts can improve your health,” said Maureen Ternus, executive director of the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation (INC NREF).

“In 2003, FDA (in its qualified health claim for nuts and heart disease) recommended that people eat 1.5 ounces of nuts per day - well above current consumption levels - so we need to encourage people to get their handful of nuts every day.”