Want to know one of the tastiest secrets for living a longer, healthier life?
Eating walnuts!
Sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not. According to recent findings, walnuts are one of the best longevity-boosting foods on the planet.
Let’s dive in and take a look at the science…
A study published in the journal
Nutrients in late 2021 examined data from more than 67,000 women and 26,000 men in the U.S., all of whom had no cancer, stroke, or heart disease at the “baseline” when the data was first collected.
Over the 20 years that followed, during which time those men and women were monitored with follow-up assessments every 2 years, more than 30,000 died—from conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
However, the study found that a large percentage of those deaths included people who ate very little to no walnuts every day.
On the other hand, among those who consumed walnuts regularly, mortality rates were much lower.
The people who consumed walnuts at least 5 times per week had a 25% lower likelihood of dying from cardiovascular disease. Even just
half a serving of walnuts per day was enough to significantly affect mortality rates from cardiovascular disease.
Note: Walnut consumption wasn’t noted to have any direct impact on mortality rates from cancer.
However, in another 2018 study, it was discovered that even just eating three servings of walnuts per week could have serious longevity benefits. The people who ate three servings of walnuts a week had a 45% lower risk for total mortality, 47% lower risk of mortality caused by cardiovascular disease.
One ounce of nuts per day has also been linked (by other studies) to a 15% lower overall risk of cancer, including colon and endometrial cancers. Even eating small doses of walnuts (2 ounces per day for just two weeks) can help to benefit breast cancer.
One fascinating discovery from the first study was that those who ate walnuts regularly also tended to be healthier overall. The study found that “participants with a higher frequent consumption of walnuts tend to be more physically active, have a healthier diet, lower alcohol consumption, and take multivitamins”.
Eating walnuts is just
one of the many, many things that you can do to improve your health—but, as these studies showed, they can be a game-changer!
Take Action Now: Add Walnuts to Your Diet
The studies above make it clear that walnuts are a longevity-boosting food that you should
definitely add into your diet. Eating 5 servings per week can have notable benefits for your health, decreasing your risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and more.
Try them:
- On their own, fresh out of their shell
- Roasted and lightly salted
- Mixed in with other nuts, such as almonds and cashews
- In pesto, used instead of pine nuts
- Made into “vegan” nut-based cheese
There are no end of creative ways you can eat walnuts, and the more you eat, the greater your chance of extending your lifespan like the people monitored during the cited studies.
So
do include them, and you’ll have a shot at living a longer, healthier, and happier life!