Friday 22 November 2013

Eating nuts 'may prolong life'



People who regularly eat nuts appear to live longer, according to the largest study of its kind.

The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggested the greatest benefit was in those munching on a daily portion.
The US team said nut eaters were likely to also have healthy lifestyles, but the nuts themselves were also contributing to their longer lifespan.
The British Heart Foundation said more research was needed to prove the link

The study followed nearly 120,000 people for 30 years. The more regularly people consumed nuts, the less likely they were to die during the study.
People eating nuts once a week were 11% less likely to have died during the study than those who never ate nuts.
Up to four portions was linked to a 13% reduction in deaths and a daily handful of nuts cut the death rate during the study by 20%.

Lead researcher Dr Charles Fuchs, from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, said: "The most obvious benefit was a reduction of 29% in deaths from heart disease, but we also saw a significant reduction - 11% - in the risk of dying from cancer."

Eating nuts was linked to a healthier lifestyle - including being less likely to smoke or be overweight and more likely to exercise.
This was accounted for during the study, for example to eliminate the impact of smoking on cancer rates.
The researchers acknowledge that this process could not completely account for all of the differences between those regularly eating nuts and those not.
However, they said it was "unlikely" to change the results.
They suggest nuts are lowering cholesterol, inflammation and insulin resistance.

Victoria Taylor, senior dietician at the British Heart Foundation, said: "This study shows an association between regularly eating a small handful of nuts and a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease.

"While this is an interesting link, we need further research to confirm if it's the nuts that protect heart health, or other aspects of people's lifestyle.

"Nuts contain unsaturated fats, protein and a range of vitamins and minerals and make a good swap for snacks like chocolate bars, cakes and biscuits.
"Choosing plain, unsalted options rather than honeyed, salted, dry-roasted or chocolate-covered will keep your salt and sugar intake down."

The study was funded by the US National Institutes of Health and the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation.


Friday 8 November 2013

Men are we destined to be fat at 40?

Man 

Middle-aged British men are more likely than women to be overweight, but less likely to diet, as they were less likely to realise they were carrying excess weight, say researchers at the University of London.
A study found more than two-thirds of men and around half of women in their early 40s were overweight or obese.

The findings come from a study following 10,000 UK men and women born during one week in 1970.

Researchers found that those born in 1970 were considerably more likely to be overweight or obese in their early 40s than those born 12 years earlier.
“Worryingly, this research highlights that men seem more inclined to ignore their expanding waistlines than women”
                    Christopher Allen - British Heart Foundation

Men were far more likely than women to carry excess weight - with 45% classed as overweight and a further 23% obese compared with 29% and 20% of women.

Dr Sullivan and colleague Dr Matt Brown say carrying excess weight is seen as more socially acceptable for men than women.

Overweight men are thus less likely to see this as a health problem and do something about it.

Alerting men to their body mass index (BMI) status and the associated health risks should be a priority, they say.

Expanding waistlines
Commenting on the study, Christopher Allen, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Being overweight or obese increases your risk of cardiovascular disease.

"Whether you're a man or a woman, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and keeping physically active can help you reduce your weight and your risk of cardiovascular disease.