Snacking on nuts every day substantially lowers your risk of an early death, says a study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. People who eat at least 10 grams of nuts daily — about two teaspoons — lower their risk of dying from seven major causes of death an average of 23 percent when compared to people who eat nut-free diets.

Researchers at Maastricht University in the Netherlands found that the risk of premature death was lowered by 45 percent for neurodegenerative diseases, followed by a 39 percent reduction for respiratory diseases, and 30 percent for diabetes, according to the BBC. Mortality rates for cancer and cardiovascular diseases were also substantially reduced.

The study, which has been ongoing since 1986, included more than 120,000 Dutch men and women.

Earlier studies found an association between nut consumption and cardiovascular diseases, but the new study found that nuts lowered the risk of dying from numerous diseases.

Nuts were found to be equally beneficial for both sexes. Peanuts, which are actually a legume, were at least as powerful as tree nuts, but peanut butter didn't lower mortality.

Researchers believe that the heart-healthy components of nuts and peanuts include various compounds such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, various vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. They speculate that the reason peanut butter didn't lower mortality was that damaging ingredients such as trans fatty acids have been added to peanut butter in the past, and other ingredients, including salt and corn syrup, could hamper the protective effects of peanuts.