June 11, 2015 · Team HG
People who eat at least 10 grams of nuts or peanuts per day have a lower risk of dying from various causes than people who do not eat nuts or peanuts. The reduction in mortality was strongest for respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes, followed by cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The association is equally strong in men and women. Peanuts show an association with mortality at least as strong as nuts, but eating peanut butter has no association with later mortality. This is shown in a study by Maastricht University conducted among more than 120,000 Dutch men and women aged 55-69. The results of the Maastricht study were published online this week in the leading International Journal of Epidemiology.
This study was conducted within the Dutch Cohort Study (NLCS), which includes over 58,000 men and 62,000 women from across the country. Dietary and lifestyle habits were measured in 1986 for all NLCS participants using a detailed questionnaire. Habitual nut consumption was measured using questions regarding peanuts, other nuts, and peanut butter. Since 1986, mortality among NLCS participants has also been accurately recorded. Consequently, the researchers were able to study the association between nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, and mortality, both in terms of total mortality and by cause of death.
The links between nuts and peanuts and cardiovascular disease confirm previous results from primarily American and Asian studies, which were largely focused on cardiovascular disease. However, in this new study in the Netherlands, a protective association was also found with cancer mortality, and mortality from respiratory diseases, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases, according to Prof. Piet van den Brandt, Professor of Epidemiology and project leader. Van den Brandt: “Remarkably, the reduced mortality risk (compared to people who do not eat nuts or peanuts) was already visible at an average intake of 15 grams per day, or half a handful of nuts or peanuts. A higher intake did not result in a further reduction in the mortality risk. This was also confirmed in a so-called meta-analysis, in which we combined previous studies with the Dutch Cohort Study. In that meta-analysis, the same pattern appeared to occur for both cancer mortality and respiratory diseases.”
Peanuts and nuts both contain certain nutrients, such as monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids, various vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and other bioactive substances, which may contribute to reducing mortality. Unlike peanuts, no association was found between mortality and the consumption of peanut butter. However, peanut butter contains more than just ground peanuts; for example, salt and vegetable oils are added to it. It has been shown in the past that trans fatty acids occur in peanut butter. The composition of peanut butter is therefore different from that of peanuts. The adverse health effects of salt and trans fatty acids could counteract the protective effect of peanuts.
Via Maastricht University
