A study by a team from Monash University involved nearly 10,000 elderly men and women, who were followed for several years. The volunteers provided detailed reports on their typical diets and consumption of specific foods, including nuts. The scientists compared the impact of frequent and infrequent nut consumption on cognitive performance and the risk of neurodegeneration.
It turned out that daily consumption of nuts—a small handful of approximately 30g—provides a longer healthy lifespan, as well as a 23% reduction in the risk of disability and neurodegeneration. This correlation was confirmed regardless of the type of nut.
"Nuts are a great choice for snacking or as part of a meal if your diet is unbalanced. However, we do not recommend eating salty, sweet, or chocolate-covered nuts," the authors stated.
Previously, other studies have found that walnuts lower "bad" cholesterol levels, making them good for the heart, while in another study, a mixture of almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts improved sperm quality in men in just two weeks.
As a reminder, nuts contain various vitamins (folate, B3, vitamin E), minerals (selenium, magnesium, calcium, potassium), and are rich in fiber, polyphenols, phytosterols, and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Nuts are also a good source of protein.
