ABSTRACT
Nuts are nutritionally dense foods consisting of a unique matrix of macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactive phytochemical. An important aspect of nuts as possible neuroprotective agents is their capacity to beneficially impact vascular risk factors, such as blood pressure, glucoregulation, endothelial function, and inflammation, which are all linked to brain health. Limited epidemiological evidence suggests that regular nut consumption relates to better cognition and a lower incidence of depression, a prevalent clinical condition frequently associated with cognitive dysfunction, while data are not available on dementia outcomes. A prospective study of a sub-cohort of 15,467 older women from the Nurses’ Health Study specifically assessed total nut intake in relation to cognitive function after adjustment for possible confounders. The first experimental animal studies with walnuts concerning brain health were conducted in the lab of the late Jim Joseph at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, USA.
