Researchers examined the impact of daily nut consumption on cognition and brain health.
A recent study was published in Clinical Nutrition and the results highlight the possible benefit that eating nuts may have on increasing blood flow in the brain as well as improving verbal memory in adults aged 50 and over.
Twenty-eight healthy participants with an average age of 65 were enrolled in the study. The study had the participants divided into two groups and each group was given a specific diet plan to follow for 16 weeks. One group had to eat 60 grams of assorted nuts consisting of walnuts, cashews, pistachios and hazelnuts each day and the other group did not eat any nuts. At the 8 week mark, the groups switched diet plans.
At the end of each 8 week period, participants were evaluated for the following: cognitive performance, retinal microvasculature, brain vascular function, arterial stiffness and endothelial function.
The study results showed that daily nut consumption increased blood flow in different areas of the brain including the left frontal lobe, bilateral prefrontal cortex and the frontal lobe. Endothelial function was improved, arterial stiffness was reduced and retinal microvasculature was improved. Researchers also discovered that participants were able to recall 16% more words in a verbal memory task.
While researchers acknowledge more studies are needed, they believe that nuts have an anti-inflammatory effect with their high levels of antioxidants and that they help to reduce oxidative stress in the brain.
