Study: Snacking On Nuts Can Reduce Risk Of Heart Disease, Cancer

LONDON (CBS) – If you're looking for a healthy snack, nuts might be the answer.

A new study from European researchers in the journal BMC Medicine says eating a handful of nuts a day can cut down on several health risks.

Data from more than 800,000 people who ate all kinds of nuts, including hazelnuts, walnuts and peanuts, shows they cut their risk of dying from heart disease by nearly 30 percent and cancer by 15 percent.

The risk of premature death was also 22 percent lower for people who ate nuts.

"It's quite a substantial effect for such a small amount of food," study co-author Dagfinn Aune said.

Even though some nuts are high in fat they also have lots of fiber and protein, and may reduce a person's risk of obesity over time.