While many have proven that laughter is the best medicine - and will not only help you stay healthy but can even effect cures - I'm not talking about that kind of nutty this time.
I'm talking about the real nuts - the kind that grow on trees.
USDA researchers say that just 1 1/2 ounces of nuts a day can reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes. They also taste good, but surveys show that 66% of us don't eat any nuts at all.
Here are some of the most powerful:
Almonds: For delivering heart-healthy polyphenols, one ounce is equal to a cup of green tea plus 1/2 cup of broccoli combined , AND they've been shown to help lower LDL cholesterol.
Hazlenuts: Have high levels of vitamin E, folate, and B vitamins. They are also rich in arginine - an amino acid that can relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Pistachios: A recent Pennsylvania State University study shows that a daily serving or two may decrease LDL levels by up to 12%
Pecans: Just one ounce contains 10% of your daily fiber requirement, and pecans have the highest overall concentration of disease-fighting antioxidants of all nuts.
So next time you're reaching for a snack - instead of grabbing a sugar-filled candy bar from that rack, choose a bag of nuts. You'll find almonds and pistachios in most candy aisles, and you'll find the others in the baking aisle or the produce department.
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