The benefits of nuts

A2 English Reading Test

Read about the benefits of the nuts below. Which nut would you recommend to each of these people? Match each person with a nut, using the list provided at the end of the page. Each nut can only be used once.

A. Cashews

Gold-medal winning Olympic sprinter Kelly Holmes says she ate a bag of these wonder nuts after every race to help her recover. They’re packed with zinc – brilliant for your immune system.

B. Pistachios

Tony Blair’s favourite, these cut cholesterol and are rich in vitamins B and E – great for glowing skin.

C. Brazil Nuts

A study from the University of Illinois suggests brazils might help prevent breast cancer, thanks to their high selenium content. They give you an energy buzz, too.

D. Almonds

These are real heart savers, as they are rich in a form of vitamin E called alphatocopherol, which lowers your risk of cardiac disease.

E. Macadamias

University of Hawaii found that people who ate high-fat macadamias had the same cholesterol levels as those on a low-fat diet.

F. Walnuts

If you are worried about diabetes or cholesterol you should stock up on walnuts. They are full of alpha linoleic acid, which boosts your “good” cholesterol and stops fatty deposits from sticking to arteries.