Walnuts are top when it comes to superfoods, scientists say.

Research suggests regular eating of nuts can reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and type-2 diabetes, but it has not been clear which nut is best so scientists analysed the antioxidant content of walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, macadamias and pecans.

Study leader Dr Joe Vinson, from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, said: “A handful of walnuts contains almost twice as much antioxidants as an equivalent amount of any other commonly consumed nut.”

His team found that antioxidants in walnuts were between two and 15 times more potent than vitamin E.
Around seven walnuts a day was the right amount to eat to get the maximum health benefit, said Dr Vinson.