Want to keep your mind sharp? Eat nuts, according to researchers at the University of South Australia. They found that, in addition to being a great source of protein and generally being heart-healthy, nuts can be great for your mind (as well as immature jokes and double entendres.) Their anti-inflammatory properties, particularly with peanuts, are part of the reason why.
Using a sample of over 4,822 adults in China aged 55 or older, the researchers found that consuming more than 10 grams of nuts each day improves mental functioning and can help ward off dementia, a global problem affecting around 47 million people - and climbing.
Dr. Ming Li, a researcher on the study, noted “By eating more than 10 grams (or two teaspoons) of nuts per day older people could improve their cognitive function by up to 60 per cent– compared to those not eating nuts – effectively warding off what would normally be experienced as a natural two-year cognition decline.”
This can lead to not only a healthier aging population, but potential declines in health care costs and reducing pressure on health care services.
See more below, and you can link directly to the study here from the Journal of Nutrition, Health, & Aging.
Photo: Getty images