Medical sources claim that some 19% of adults aged 50 years and over live with cognitive impairment, ranging from mild deficits to Alzheimer’s disease. However, lifestyle factors such as diet may protect brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Diets such as the Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet have been linked to slower rates of cognitive decline and reduced dementia risk.
Nuts are common to both of these diets; these contain nutrients, including unsaturated fatty acids, proteins, and polyphenols, which may all benefit cognition. Recently, researchers investigated the effects of daily nut consumption on cognition and brain health. They found that daily nut consumption benefitted blood flow in the brain and verbal memory in older adults.
The researchers found that daily nut consumption increased blood flow in various brain areas, including the left frontal lobe, the bilateral prefrontal cortex and the frontal lobe. They also found that nut consumption improved peripheral endothelial function, reduced arterial stiffness, and improved retinal microvasculature.
Walnuts are considered one of best nuts for brain health for a number of reasons. On top of being the only nuts to contain a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts boast the highest content of antioxidants, as well as the highest potency, or quality, of antioxidants, relative to other common nuts.
Source: medicalnewstoday.com