– A study of over 50,000 participants in the UK Biobank found that people who eat a handful of nuts (up to 30 grams) per day have a 16% lower risk of developing all-cause dementia, compared to those who don’t eat nuts. The risk was even lower (17%) for those who ate unsalted nuts.
– The benefits were only seen in those who are not obese, get normal sleep, and do not smoke or drink alcohol daily. No significant associations were found in men across all age groups or in those with other risk factors like muscle weakness or loneliness.
– Nuts are rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients that may benefit brain health, though the exact mechanisms are unclear. Previous studies have also linked nut consumption to improved memory and verbal fluency.
– The study authors note that while pharmacological treatments for dementia have had only modest effects, lifestyle factors like diet may be crucial for prevention. Healthy diets like the Mediterranean diet have been associated with reduced dementia risk.
– Further long-term studies and clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of nut consumption as a strategy for preventing dementia.
Source: Science Alert
