Recent studies have unearthed some fascinating information about nuts. Before 1990, they were thought of as nothing more than high-calorie, high-fat food that may cause weight-gain and potential heart problems. Over a decade later our views have completely changed, and we have a much better understanding of nuts, now recognizing them as a wonderful food with many benefits for the human body that cannot be ignored.

While it’s true that nuts are very fatty and have a highly concentrated calorie content with roughly 200 kilocalories per ounce, they aren’t nearly as fattening as they seem. A vast majority of the fat in nuts is either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. These fats aren’t as detrimental to weight gain to others, and more importantly, they have the ability to lower LDL cholesterol. This is very important considering today’s push for cardiovascular-friendly foods, and as it turns out, nuts seem to have a very positive impact on the heart. Many studies have been done in recent years concerning nuts and their effect on the heart, and the general consensus is that a diet consisting of regular nut intake can lower your chance for heart disease by as much as 35%.

Nuts are plentiful sources of protein. Proteins are necessary for the body’s day-to-day function, and are also difficult to obtain in a vegetarian diet, because most plants only contain pieces of proteins. Nuts, however, are sources of complete proteins, making them a wonderful addition to vegetarian diet, but also ideal for a cardiovascular-minded diet. Unlike meats and other conventional producers of protein, nuts are actually beneficial for the heart instead of being damaging.

Nuts are also good sources of energy. They contain high amounts of calories, but also contain a lot of fiber and, more importantly, antioxidants. Antioxidants have recently been celebrated for their anti-aging properties. Our bodies are constantly subject to free-radicals, harmful agents that damage our body and cause premature aging and drastically lowered energy levels. As a premium source of powerful antioxidants such as selenium and Vitamin E, nuts can help ward off the unwanted effects of premature aging and help the body maintain a steadier energy level throughout the day.

Which nuts are best? This question still remains unanswered, although it is generally recognized that almonds, cashews and peanuts may be the most beneficial. All nuts, however, have very similar effects on the body. It is recommended that person get 1 – 2 ounces of nuts a day to see the greatest benefit. Any more and the calories simply begin to add up too quickly. The biggest problem with nuts lies within the fact that they can be difficult to put down, but if you can restrain yourself with them just slightly, they are extremely beneficial.

Our understanding of nuts has evolved with our comprehension of food and the body, and where they were once disregarded as a high-fat snack, they are now hailed for their powerful contributions to health. Adding these snacks to your diet in the appropriate amounts can help you achieve higher energy levels, and may greatly reduce your risk for heart disease. Simply understand that they are loaded with calories, and shouldn’t be consumed in large amounts. Also, when adding nuts to your diet, try to use them as a replacement for other foods instead of a simple addition, such as replacing chocolate chips in cookies for nuts.

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