Peanuts May Reduce Risk of Heart Disease, Stroke and Early Death

Researchers at the Vanderbilt University and the Shanghai Cancer Institute examined the link between nut intake and mortality among different ethnic groups and lower-income households. They found that peanut consumption was associated with fewer deaths, especially from cardiovascular disease.

Peanuts are rich in nutrients and inexpensive, so they make for a low-cost way to improve heart health.

This study is the first to focus on low-income households and different ethnic groups such as blacks, whites and Asians to learn the effect that nut consumption has on mortality. Previous studies focus mainly on higher-income, white populations. The researchers suggest that people of all races could potentially benefit from eating peanuts.

However, peanuts contain many nutrients and phytochemicals that are similar to nuts. For individuals who can't afford tree nuts, peanuts may serve as a substitute," Shu said.

The researchers studied three large groups that included more than 70,000 black and white men and women residing in the U.S. and over 130,000 men and women living in Shanghai.

The study findings suggest the people across all three groups who consumed peanuts had a healthier lifespan and less incidences of cardiovascular disease.

But the researchers cautioned that the study was based on observational data, and not clinical trials. Currently, it is not confirmed whether peanuts are particularly responsible for a lower risk of death.

"We cannot conclude that peanuts per se were responsible for the reduced mortality observed even though we have very carefully adjusted for possible confounders. Randomised clinical trials are needed to establish a causal connection," Shu said.

The American Heart Association recommends consuming four 43-gram servings of unsalted, oil-free nuts every week. But remember that nuts rich in nutrients are also high in calories. If you're watching your weight, control your intake of peanuts.

The study was published in the US journal JAMA Internal Medicine.