Could One Serving of Nuts a Week Decrease Your Chances of Dying by 20 Percent?

A recent study shows that a diet that regularly includes nuts can help prolong life by up to 20 percent.

According to lead study author Dr. Charles S. Fuchs, director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, he found that a diet rich in nuts helps reduce the risk of heart disease, colon cancer, lowers cholesterol levels, aids in weight reduction and helps reduce inflammation.

Nuts included as part of a health diet can range from the following: Peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, macadamias, pecans, cashews, pistachios, and pine nuts all work.

In a larger study, investigators found that participants who consumed nuts on a regular basis were less likely to die over a 30-year-period. Those that regularly consumed nuts were also more likely to be a healthier weight.

"The most obvious benefit was a reduction of 29 percent in deaths from heart disease-the major killer of people in America," lead investigator Charles S. Fuchs, director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute said, via a statement, who also also examined the protective effect on specific causes of death. "But we also saw a significant reduction, 11 percent, in the risk of dying from cancer."

More information regarding the study can be found via the New England Journal of Medicine.