Lowering the risk of cardio-vascular diseases
According to recent medical research, nuts could have an important role to play in reducing the risks of heart diseases. In a study, researchers found that people who eat some at least once a week have 25% fewer heart diseases than people who do not eat any. Those who eat nuts regularly, have even better results.

Another study shows that the number of heart attacks is reduced by one third in women who eat about 140g of nuts per week in comparison with those who rarely or never eat any. Similar results have been observed in men.

In fact, experts advise us to eat a number of different food items every day so as to meet our needs in nutrition and calories. Omega 3 fatty acids, in addition to their ability to combat heart disease, may also have qualities that halt the onset of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

The antioxydising power of dried fruits
Antioxydants protect against oxydation (damage caused to the cells in the body). Oxydation may be partly responsible for the development of cancer, diabetes, cardiac and pulmonary diseases and also cataracts.

Agen Prunes and some nuts, including almonds, hazelnuts, pecan and Brazil nuts, are good sources of antioxydising agents, like vitamin E and selenium.

Anti-cholesterol role
Many scientific studies have noted the effects of mono-unsaturated lipids on type LDL cholesterol (‘bad’ cholesterol). It would seem that a diet rich in mono-unsaturated lipids could lower the level of type LDL cholesterol, which damages the arteries, without reducing type HDL cholesterol (‘good’ cholesterol).

In France, increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables by those who do not eat much of them is one of the strategic priorities of the PNNS (Programme National Nutrition Santé – National Nutrition and Health Program), launched by the Ministry of Health for the period 2006 – 2010. The overall aim is to improve the health of the whole population by taking action on one of the major determinants : nutrition. Daily consumption of dried fruits is even encouraged.

Experts have discovered that the consumption of nuts does not appear to make you put on weight, when it forms part of a calorie-controlled diet. What is more, only eating one handful (about 30g) of nuts per day could help to control your appetite.