New Research Says Eating Nuts Daily Could Have Huge Health Benefits

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- This is more proof of the health benefits of eating nuts.

Researchers analyzed 20 studies from around the world that included more than 800,000 patients. They found people who ate nuts everyday had fewer illnesses.

Ryan Conrad likes to eat healthy and nuts are part of his diet. "Just a handful of walnuts on my cereal and maybe some almonds for a snack," he said.

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Research from Imperial College shows a daily serving of nuts, like cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds, as well as peanuts, can reduce the risk of death from diabetes by 40 percent. In addition it can cut heart disease by 30 percent and cancer by 15 percent.

Researchers from London say nuts could help prevent, or delay, more than 4 million deaths worldwide. "It's definitely one of the foods we should be eating more of," said Dagfinn Aune, the co-author of the study.

Nutritionists say nuts are high in important nutrients like poly-unsaturated fats, magnesium, fiber and protein. They add it can help cut cholesterol.

Conrad says that eating nuts helps to keep his energy up.

In a nutshell, researchers found that a handful is all you need.