Peanuts good for heart health, study suggests

Eaten as part of a healthy diet, peanuts are good for heart health, according to new research.
The study, conducted at the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University, suggested that including peanuts in a healthy, high-fat meal can improve heart health.
The researchers placed participants into two groups: The first group consumed a shake containing 3 ounces of ground the peanuts; the second did not have the peanuts. Otherwise, the nutritional content of the shakes was the same.
The researchers found that the peanut group signalled improved heart health and vascular function compared to the non-peanut group. The results of the heart health tests conducted by the researchers indicated a lower risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease for the peanut group.
Heart health is a major concern for people with diabetes. Some studies have suggested that as many as 80 per cent of people with diabetes will die from heart disease. Over time, prolonged exposure to high blood glucose levels damages the arteries, causing them to narrow and making them more likely to clog. Taking steps to improve heart health is vital, therefore, for people with diabetes.
Xiaoran Liu, lead author of the study, said: “Peanuts are a healthy snack when eaten as part of a healthy diet.
“Previous studies have shown that individuals who consume peanuts more than two times a week have a lower risk of coronary heart disease. This study indicates the protective effect of peanut consumption could be due, in part, to its beneficial effect on artery health.”