Eat a handful of walnuts a day to lower your blood pressure, study suggests - Daily Mail

Eating a handful of walnuts a day could reduce your blood pressure, lower weight gain and in turn cut the risk of diabetes and heart disease, a new study finds.

Previous research has linked walnuts to lower blood pressure, and suggested they prevent diabetes and heart disease.

Scientists at the University of Minnesota suggested walnuts lowered blood pressure because they contained Omega-3 (stock image).

The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure checked.

The systolic pressure (higher number) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body.

The diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels.

If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes.

Blood pressure measurements are shown as two figures, as the systolic pressure — or pressure on artery walls when the heart beats — and diastolic pressure — or pressure on artery walls in--`between beats.

The scientists said the diastolic blood pressure, or second figure, was significantly lower in people who ate walnuts.

The scientists also suggested that walnuts led to lower weight gain and a higher quality diet. 

Scientists also claimed walnut-eaters had significantly lower fasting glucose levels, a better heart disease risk profile and a higher quality diet