The Physicians' Health Study, which is following 22,000 male doctors who were healthy when they began the study, found that those who ate nuts had the lowest rate of heart disease, and that those who ate the most nuts had the lowest risk of dying from heart disease. It seems very possible that nut consumption can in fact reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Some people are worried because nuts are high in fat. Both diets conformed to those of the national cholesterol education program. Nuts are high in magnesium, which may decrease heart-rhythm disturbances.
Nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator and can inhibit platelet adhesion and aggregation.
Several studies have shown that high intakes of linolenic acid may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, possibly due to the anti-clotting effects of linolenic acid. Nuts are high in fat, but most of the fatty acids are unsaturated Frequent consumption of nuts, including peanuts, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease This protective effect may be partly explained by the beneficial effects on serum lipids that unsaturated fats have. Other potentially protective constituents include vegetable protein, magnesium, vitamin E, fiber and potassium. Nuts can be included as part of a healthy diet. It is very easy to quickly consume a handful of nuts and consequently consume about 600 - 800 calories without really realizing it.