In a new study, researchers found that eating nuts for a long time may help protect cognitive health in older people.
The research was conducted by researchers from the University of South Australia.
Previous studies have shown that dementia is a major threat to brain health in older people. China has the largest population of people with dementia.
Many old people need additional health support because they naturally experience changes in reasoning, memory, and processing speed.
However, it is often hard to get health support. Therefore, it is important to find effective ways that can protect their health.
In the current study, the team examined almost 5000 Chinese adults aged 55 and older. The data were from the China Health Nutrition Survey.
They found that about 17% of participants regularly ate nuts (mostly peanuts).
Moreover, eating more than 10 grams of nuts a day was linked to better thinking, reasoning and memory functions.
These people could improve their cognitive function by up to 60%. This is like warding off a natural two-year cognition decline.
The researchers suggest that peanuts contain specific anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that can help reduce cognitive decline.
Generally, nuts are high in healthy fats, protein, and fiber that may help lower cholesterol and improve brain health.
The team believes that their finding provides valuable information for the prevention of mental health issues faced by older people.
This is the first study that reports a connection between cognitive function and eating nuts in older Chinese people.
The lead researcher of the study is UniSA’s Dr. Ming Li.
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