A good news for women who are fond of nuts or peanut butter!

A study from the Harvard Medical School has indicated that nut and peanut intake by women with Type 2 diabetes reduced the risk of a heart attack.

Researchers analyzed the diets of more than 6,000 women over a period of 12 years. Study subjects completed a food questionnaire every two to four years. Besides nut consumption, other factors - like BMI, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, use of aspirin, Hormone Replacement Therapy and other nutrients and food groups – were also considered as these factors affect heart risk.

Data analysis revealed that women who had frequent nut and peanut butter consumption had 44 percent lower risk of developing cardiovascular problems and strokes.

The Research team said: “Consumption of at least five servings a week of one ounce of nuts or one tablespoon of peanut butter was significantly associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.”

However, the researchers also cautioned that nuts and peanut butter should not be consumed in excess as it contains high overall fat and calories.