A Consultant Nutritionist, Folasade Olatana, on Friday said eating nuts regularly could reduce one’s risk of contracting major chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.
Olatana, a consultant at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos State, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
She said those who ate nuts actually lived longer lives and studies had shown that nuts helped lower cholesterol, improved arterial function and blood sugar levels.
She said: “Daily nut consumers have fewer deaths from cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease, even after controlling for other lifestyle factors.
“Nut consumers live significantly longer whether they are older or younger, fat or slim, whether they exercised more, smoked or drank.
“Diets enriched with nuts do not affect body weight, body mass index or waist circumference at all.”
The consultant said nuts were filled with fat and there might be concerns by many that frequent consumption could result in weight gain.
Olatana said it was the amount of nuts people consumed that would determine if they would gain or lose weight.
She said: “Around one to two small handfuls a day of eating nuts will be advisable to ensure various health benefits without the risk of body weight gain.
“Just a few servings a week may boost our lifespan and lower diseases rates, including cancer and heart diseases.”
NAN.
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