According to groundbreaking research by Spanish and Portuguese scientists, a daily handful of nuts effectively helps prevent the onset of dementia.
A team from the University of Castilla-La Mancha and the University of Porto found that consuming just 30 grams of nuts reduces the risk of developing dementia by 12 percent. However, there’s a catch: the nuts must be unsalted and unprocessed (specifically, unroasted).
What else did the researchers discover?
Over seven years, the team analyzed regular surveys of more than 50,000 Britons. The data were sourced from the UK Biobank and the Oxford WebQ survey.
The researchers confirmed that nuts play a protective role in dementia prevention, as they help reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol levels.
The benefits of nut snacking were most pronounced among women, individuals over 60, and those who are neither obese nor heavy drinkers.
“Among adult residents of the UK who consumed nuts daily, the risk of developing dementia from any cause was lower compared to those who did not eat nuts,” the scientists reported. They added that the effect also correlates with lifestyle factors, hearing issues, overall health, and the number of chronic diseases, as reported by the Daily Mail.
“Nuts are rich in nutrients, containing fats, proteins, fiber, and micronutrients. Considering that nuts are also linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, they are an excellent component of a healthy diet,” noted leading British nutrition expert Bridget Benelam, who was not involved in the study. She also reminded that nuts are calorie-dense, so it’s best to consume them in small portions. A handful, by the way, is the optimal daily serving.
The results of the study were published in the journal GeroScience.