Crunch Your Way to a Longer Life with This Surprising Snack Secret

Did you know that one snack you may have been avoiding can actually cut your risk of dying from cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses by an average of 20%? Yes, you read that right. A snack that you would love to eat could decrease your chances of death from some of the most dreaded diseases, and in some cases, even up to 50%. This is a snack that your doctor would definitely approve.

However, many people tend to stay away from it because of its high-fat content. Are you one of them? If so, you may be missing out on its amazing health benefits.

The answer is nuts

Believe it or not, nuts are the key. We’re talking walnuts, almonds, cashews, and yes, even peanuts. A study at Harvard found that just a handful of nuts a day could help you live longer. This study followed 120,000 participants over 30 years of their lives, tracking their health, causes of death, and what they ate. The results showed that the more often a person ate nuts, the less likely they were to die of any disease.

The surprising health benefits of nuts

Nuts are incredibly healthy for you, and there are several reasons why.

Unsaturated fats: Nuts are great sources of unsaturated fats, which help lower your bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise your good cholesterol (HDL). By optimizing your cholesterol levels, you can avoid prescription statin drugs that may cause side effects like muscle pain, liver damage, and high blood sugar.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Nuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help prevent blood clots. This is similar to taking aspirin but without the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding.
Arginine: Nuts contain an amino acid called arginine, which your body uses to make nitric oxide, a natural vasodilator that helps relax constricted blood vessels and improve blood flow.
Rich in essential nutrients: Nuts are packed with vitamin E (to protect your body against toxins), potassium (to improve your blood pressure and metabolism), folic acid (to help your body produce and maintain new cells), and antioxidants (to protect your body from free radicals), among other vital nutrients.

The weight gain dilemma

Most people avoid eating nuts because they’re worried about gaining weight due to the high amounts of calories and fat found in them. While it’s true that nuts are calorie-dense, you shouldn’t completely avoid them. Instead, consider replacing a snack you already eat with a small handful of almonds, walnuts, or other nuts. Just be sure to measure out your portion size before you indulge since it’s easy to underestimate how much you’re consuming.

If you’re concerned about the price of these snacks, don’t worry. The study found that peanuts were just as effective as the costlier nuts, even though they are technically legumes.

Conclusion

So the next time you’re craving a snack, reach for a jar of nuts to live longer, healthier, and disease-free. It could be one of the healthiest choices you ever make.