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Heart Health

Nuts: All they’re cracked up to be?

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

Almonds, walnuts, pecans, and other nuts are chock-full of nutrients that are good for your heart.

photo of a box of assorted roasted nuts tied with a string to be presented as a gift

Looking for an edible, heart-friendly holiday gift for family and friends? Consider a fancy assortment of dry-roasted nuts. They’re a healthy yet tasty alternative to traditional holiday sweets such as candy and cookies.

People who regularly eat nuts are less likely to have heart attacks or die from heart disease than those who seldom eat nuts, according to observational studies dating back to the early 1990s. Several of the largest (including two from Harvard, the Nurses’ Health Study and Physicians’ Health Study) have shown a 30% to 50% lower risk of heart attack, sudden cardiac death, or cardiovascular disease linked with eating nuts several times a week.

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About the Author

photo of Julie Corliss

Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

Julie Corliss is the executive editor of the Harvard Heart Letter. Before working at Harvard, she was a medical writer and editor at HealthNews, a consumer newsletter affiliated with The New England Journal of Medicine. She … See Full Bio
View all posts by Julie Corliss

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