Walnuts may appear like miniature replicas of a human brain, but there’s more of a connection to these two elements than just their appearance. Researchers at the New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (IBR) claim that a walnut-rich diet could lower, or even prevent, the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study conducted on mice showed that those who were fed a walnut-rich diet had significantly improved memory and motor development.
The study regarded that the high antioxidant content of walnuts may have been a contributing factor in protecting the mouse brain from the degeneration typically seen in Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, walnuts have other nutritional benefits as they contain numerous vitamins and minerals and are the only nuts that contain a substantial source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid with heart and brain health benefits.
The findings from this research are deemed to be very promising as they help lay the groundwork for future human studies on walnuts and Alzheimer’s disease.
So, the next time you’re wondering what to add to your salad, you know where to look. Add them to your food or simply munch on them when you’re hungry to reap their numerous benefits.
Source: IANS
