Snacking on walnuts instead of biscuits can add years to your life

Snacking on walnuts instead of biscuits can add years to your life, data suggest. 

Researchers tracked more than 3,000 people across the US for three decades into their fifties, when we are most prone to develop fat around the middle, which can lead to heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. 

Participants were identified as "walnut," "other nut" or "no nut" consumers after reporting their own diets at three intervals over the course of the study. 

Walnut eaters had the highest quality of life and physical activity scores, better heart health, less average weight gain, and lower "bad" cholesterol.

The study's lead author, Professor Lyn Steffen of the University of Minnesota, said the findings suggest walnuts may act as a bridge to help people form better lifestyle habits. In addition, the superfood is packed with chemicals that protect DNA by destroying reactive molecules or oxidants.