Eating nuts prevents potential heart failure

Eating nuts regularly could prevent the development of heart failure and an irregular heartbeat, research has found.

Those who consumed nuts one to two times a week had a 20 per cent lower risk of suffering heart failure, according to a study published in journal Heart.

High nut consumption – more than three servings a week – was linked with a reduced risk of developing atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heartbeat.

Even a small increase in the amount of nuts included in the diet may reduce the risk of the cardiovascular diseases, the researchers said.

The study, by scientists from Sweden, monitored the cardiovascular health of 61,000 Swedish people aged 45 to 83-years-old for 17 years.

Eating nuts one to three times a month was associated with a 3 per cent lower risk of developing atrial fibrillation, while those who consumed nuts three or more times a week had an 18 per cent reduced risk.

Atrial fibrillation can lead to dizziness and shortness of breath and affects around one million people in the UK, according to the NHS. Moderate, but not high, weekly consumption of nuts was associated with a lower chance of suffering heart failure, the researchers said, suggesting a less consistent link.