There's no need to pass by the nut dish at the next party you attend, says a study published in a recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Researchers claim that adding a few servings of nuts to your diet each week could lower your risk of coronary heart disease and could prevent death from heart-related conditions.

Over 21,000 men who participated in a 17-year health study identified how often they consumed one ounce, or one serving, of nuts each week. While conducting the study, the researchers also gathered information about the men's risk factors for heart disease, whether they suffered any heart attacks or other heart conditions and their overall diet, health habits and physical activity.

In general nut intake was associated with a lower risk of death from cardiac problems. Men who consumed two or more servings of nuts each week had a 47% lower risk of death from heart attack and a lower risk of death from heart disease, compared to men who rarely or never consumed nuts.

Nuts are good sources of vitamin E, magnesium and potassium, but they are also often high in calories and sodium. If you'd like to add nuts to your diet, keep your calories in check by measuring out single 1-ounce servings instead of eating straight from the can or bag, and choose unsalted varieties.

Related information: Vitamin E | Sodium

Sources:  Albert CM, Gaziano JM, Willett WC, Manson JE. Nut consumption and decreased risk of sudden cardiac death in the physicians' health study. Archives of Internal Medicine 2002 Jun 24;162(12):1382-7.