Tough Nut: A Product Against Depression

People love nuts in one form or another, whether it’s peanuts at the pub, walnuts in a salad, or simply a delicious nut mix. Now there’s another reason to appreciate this snack, as it may offer unexpected benefits for mental health. Researchers have found that consuming nuts can reduce the risk of depression by 17%.

Nuts as a Defense Against Depression

Researchers examined data from over 13,500 individuals in the UK aged between 37 and 73, all of whom were free from depression at the start of the study. Participants reported their nut consumption, including unsalted varieties like almonds and cashews, as well as salted and roasted nuts and peanuts. The observations were conducted over a span of five years. During this time, only 8% of the study participants were diagnosed with depression.

The analysis revealed that low to moderate nut consumption—equivalent to one 30-gram serving per day—was associated with improved mental health. Those who included nuts in their diet had a 17% lower risk of depression compared to those who did not consume them. It’s worth noting that a 30-gram serving of nuts is roughly equivalent to 20 almonds, 15 cashews, 10 Brazil nuts, 40 peanuts, or 30 pistachios.

As reported by the Daily Mail, these findings were made independently of other lifestyle and health factors. Scientists also suggest that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of nuts may play a role in these results.

30 Grams of Nuts Daily – Lower Risk of Depression

Lead author of the study, Bruno Bizzocero-Peroni, emphasizes that these results highlight yet another benefit of nut consumption. They reduce the risk of depression by 17%. This provides even stronger reasons to enjoy nuts enthusiastically.

The research team notes that the study was conducted on a large sample of middle-aged and older adults. The main takeaway is that regular consumption of nuts in low to moderate amounts is linked to a lower risk of depression compared to the intake of other foods.

The findings underscore the potential role of this food as a healthy dietary behavior for preventing depression in individuals without other known risk factors, such as obesity, unhealthy lifestyles, loneliness, and illness. Future long-term clinical trials should assess whether nut consumption is an effective strategy for preventing depression in adults.