As people age, many experience changes to conceptual reasoning, memory, and processing speed. But a simple change in diet may be one of the keys to helping aging adults maintain a well-functioning mind, according to new research from the University of South Australia (UniSA).
In a study of 4,822 Chinese adults aged 55-plus, researchers found that eating more than 10 grams of nuts a day was positively associated with better mental functioning, including improved thinking, reasoning, and memory.
According to lead researcher Ming Li, the study is the first to report an association between cognition and nut intake in older Chinese adults. As life expectancy continues to increase, the issues facing aging adults present new challenges, which, says Li, place “unprecedented pressure on aged-care and health services.”
Improvements in preventive healthcare, including dietary modifications, represent one way to address the issues presented by an aging population. “By eating more than 10 grams (or two teaspoons) of nuts per day, older people could improve their cognitive function by up to 60% compared to those not eating nuts—effectively warding off what would normally be experienced as a natural two-year cognition decline,” explains Li.
The UniSA study analyzed nine waves of China Health Nutrition Survey data collected over 22 years, finding that 17% of participants regularly consumed nuts (mostly peanuts). Li says peanuts have specific anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that can alleviate and reduce cognitive decline. In addition, nuts are known to be high in healthy fats, protein, and fiber, with nutritional properties that can lower cholesterol.
While there is no cure for age-related cognition decline and neurogenerative disease, variations in what people eat are delivering improvements for older people, says Li. And since age is the strongest known risk factor for cognitive disease, finding ways to help older people retain cognitive health and independence, even through diet modifications, is “absolutely worth the effort,” she believes.
Source: IFT
