There is some very good news for dieters. Nuts that come from trees not only do not cause an increase in belly fat as was previously believed, but they are also quite could for your health. This is according to a new study from scientists at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center that says eating nuts can actually reduce belly fat.
This, of course, depends on how the nuts are prepared. Salted nuts and those baked with oils and so on are not so healthy.
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The study contradicts what 87% of Americans believe and because of this the researchers said that people simply do not consume enough nuts per week. Pistachios, almonds, cashews, walnuts and the like are all god for your health and should consumed regularly.
The study, published by Heidi J. Silver, PhD, RD, and colleagues from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, fed 84 Millennial-aged adults (22–36 years old) who had at least one metabolic syndrome risk factor (e.g., high blood pressure, high blood glucose, excess body fat around the waist, or abnormal blood cholesterol levels) either a snack of one ounce of mixed, unsalted tree nuts (including pistachios) or one ounce of a carbohydrate snack (like unsalted pretzels or graham crackers) twice per day for 16 weeks.
The scientists reported that low tree nut intake by population groups including young adults in their 20s and 30s is especially problematic since they are at high risk for excess abdominal obesity and for developing Metabolic Syndrome (MetSx) – precursors to prediabetes and full-blown diabetes. In fact, the overall rate of MetSx has increased to 21.3% in this group of the population.
In fact, the researchers found evidence that among female participants eating the mixed tree nuts led to reduced waist circumference (abdominal fat), a key risk factor for MetSx, diabetes, and heart disease. And among the male participants there was evidence that eating the mixed tree nuts led to reduced blood insulin levels, another important risk factor.
“We specifically designed the study to be able to investigate the independent effects of eating tree nuts on body weight by ensuring that the number of calories the participants ate during the 16-week intervention period matched the amount of calories they expended each day, which is one of the overall strengths of the study design and results,” said Silver.
“This carefully designed and well-controlled study shows that eating tree nuts, like pistachios, does not have to lead to weight gain and can be an important part of anyone’s self-health care routine in 2024,” she explains.
