United States: Recent research suggests that incorporating nuts into one’s daily diet may serve as a significant preventative measure against dementia, particularly for middle-aged and elderly individuals.
An expansive international study evaluated the dietary patterns of 50,300 adults from the United Kingdom, primarily in their mid-50s, who detailed their nut consumption habits. The participants were subsequently observed over an average period of seven years, during which 1,400 cases of dementia emerged, according to reports by the New York Post.
After adjusting for variables like age, gender, body composition, educational level, and lifestyle factors, researchers discovered that daily nut consumption reduced dementia risk by 12 percent. The benefits were even more pronounced for those who chose unsalted nuts, consuming up to 40 grams—approximately one handful—each day, which correlated with a 16 percent reduction in risk.
As per the NY Post, These findings were published in Geroscience in September, building upon an established body of evidence that associates poor dietary choices with increased dementia risk. Lifestyle factors such as obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol in midlife are among the 14 modifiable risk elements identified by The Lancet Commission, comprising 27 dementia experts, as contributors to the rise in dementia diagnoses.
Experts advocate for brain-supportive dietary patterns like the Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND diets, which are abundant in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Nuts, rich in nutrients and neuroprotective components such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, fiber, B vitamins, non-sodium minerals, and polyphenols, feature prominently in these diets.
Writing in Nutrients, Spanish researchers noted that walnuts, in particular, show promise for cognitive health due to their omega-3 fatty acid content, which supports brain function and development, as outlined by the New York Post.
The National Institute on Aging has further recognized walnuts as beneficial for memory retention, especially in Alzheimer’s patients, the most prevalent dementia form among older individuals in the United States. With close to 7 million Americans currently diagnosed with dementia and millions more likely affected but undiagnosed, the worldwide incidence of dementia is expected to soar—from 57 million cases in 2019 to a projected 153 million by 2050—reflecting a global aging demographic.
This growing body of research underscores the vital role of diet in maintaining cognitive health and the potential of nuts as a natural, nutrient-dense ally against dementia.