Another Reason To Eat Walnuts
A new study showed that eating a small potion of walnuts daily for two years had very little overall effect on the cognitive function of most of the elderly adults participating. But the dietary addition did seem to help those who had been heavier smokers and had lower neuropsychological test scores. The 640 study participants lived in Loma Linda, CA and in Barcelona, Spain. The researchers noted that the omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols that walnuts contain counteract oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are involved in cognitive decline. Study leader Joan Sabaté, M.D., professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Loma Linda University School of Public Health, said that based on the new findings further investigation is warranted, especially for disadvantaged populations, who may have the most to gain from incorporating walnuts and other nuts into their diets.
Source:
Joan Sabaté et al, “Effect of a 2-year diet intervention with walnuts on cognitive decline. The Walnuts and Healthy Aging (WAHA) study: a randomized controlled trial.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 7, 2020; DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz328
More from this week’s bulletin:
- Meat, Poultry & Heart Disease
- Green Spaces, Later Menopause
- A Mediterranean staple: Preserved Lemons
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