Earlier this year I wrote about the health benefits of nuts, you can read that post by clicking here.  In that post I mentioned that nuts can help in weight loss and weight reduction plans as well as having a positive impact on blood fat and cholesterol levels. A newly published study (1) has highlighted the benefits of nut consumption for people with abdominal obesity (people who carry weight around the middle), high blood sugar and high blood pressure.  The study was investigating people with metabolic syndrome – this is the name given to a cluster of risk factors including high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels and insulin resistance that can develop into cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes.  For more information about metabolic syndrome and the ways that diet and nutrition can be helpful you can read my previous articles on the topic here and here This new study (1) found, for the first time, that there was a link between eating nuts and higher levels of serotonin in the bodies of patients with metabolic syndrome.   Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that helps transmit nerve signals and decreases feelings of hunger, makes people feel happier and improves heart health. It took only 30g of mixed nuts (raw unpeeled walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts) a day to produce the good effects. Nuts are full of healthy fats, antioxidant polyphenols, minerals and fibre.  The individuals in the study who ate nuts also had other healthful changes, nut consumption reduced levels of….