Nut consumption linked to significantly lower blood pressure risk

A meta-analysis involving data from 143,000 individuals suggests that regular nut consumption can significantly reduce the risk of high blood pressure by up to 26 percent. The study, conducted by researchers from Plant-Based Health Professionals UK and Imperial College London, was published in the ‘British Journal of Nutrition’.

Researchers noted that high blood pressure affects more than 1.4 billion people globally and serves as a primary cause of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. The findings indicate a causal link between eating a daily handful of nuts and improved cardiovascular health.

Nutritional classifications vary; while often grouped with fruit, botanical distinctions separate true nuts like hazelnuts and walnuts from legumes like peanuts and drupes such as almonds and cashews. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) now highlights nuts as a distinct food group alongside seeds and kernels due to their dense nutrient profiles.