The Benefits of Eating Walnuts Daily for Cognitive Development in Adolescents
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the relationship between diet and cognitive function. Researchers are continually exploring the impact of different foods and nutrients on brain health, memory, and attention span. One food that has been the focus of many studies is walnuts. Walnuts have been linked to improved cognitive function, memory, and attention span, and research continues to confirm these findings. In this article, we will delve deeper into the study that suggests eating walnuts daily may enhance attention span and memory.
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| The study in question was published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, found that participants who consumed walnuts for at least 100 days showed improvements in attention functions. |
The Walnut Study
The study in question was published in the journal eClinicalMedicine (The Lancet) and investigated the effect of walnut consumption on cognitive and psychological development in adolescents. The research team, led by Jordi Julvez, principal investigator and coordinator of the Neuro Epia Research Group of the Institut d'Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili (IISPV), Spain, conducted the study on 700 high school students aged between 11 and 16 years from 12 different high schools.
The participants were randomly divided into two groups, the control group, and the experimental group. The experimental group was given packets containing 30 grams of walnuts (equivalent to a handful) and instructed to consume them daily for 6 months. The researchers then evaluated the participants' cognitive and psychological development by assessing their sustained attention and intelligence scores.
The Findings
The study found that participants who consumed walnuts for at least 100 days showed improvements in attention functions. Those with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had better behavior in class, paying more attention to the teacher and being less hyperactive. Additionally, there was an increase in functions related to fluid intelligence, which is less influenced by learning and inherent to a person's biology, the researchers said.
Furthermore, participants who followed more closely the recommended dose of walnuts and the number of days of consumption showed improvements in neuropsychological functions, they said.
The Role of Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA) in Walnuts
The researchers attribute the positive impact of walnuts on cognitive function to the presence of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid essential for the body and which plays a key role in brain development, especially in the early stage. Walnuts have a significant amount of ALA, making them an excellent source of this essential nutrient. In addition, walnuts are a nutrient-dense food and a rich plant-based source of ALA, which provides energy and is essential for the body and its development.
Adolescence and Brain Development
The researchers highlight that adolescence is a period of brain refinement, connectivity, and complex behaviors. Therefore, it remains sensitive to a number of environmental and lifestyle factors, including diet. The brain requires a large amount of energy and nutrients for proper development during this period, and a healthy, balanced diet that provides essential nutrients can have a beneficial effect on the cognitive and psychological development of adolescents.
The Importance of a Nutrient-Dense Diet
The study's findings underscore the importance of a nutrient-dense diet for optimal cognitive function and brain development. A diet rich in essential nutrients can provide the necessary energy and nutrients for the brain to function correctly, leading to improved cognitive function and psychological development.
Walnuts as a Great Ally of Adolescent Health
According to Jordi Julvez, walnuts are a great ally of adolescent health due to their nutrient density and rich plant-based source of ALA. The study suggests that walnuts may have a positive impact on sustained attention and intelligence scores in adolescents, making them a valuable addition to a healthy and balanced diet.
The Future of Nutritional Research
The study's authors plan to conduct a second observational trial to analyze the effects of walnut consumption during pregnancy, with emphasis on the cognitive development and psychological maturation of infants. The results of this study could provide valuable insights into the role of nutrition in fetal brain development and the long-term impact on cognitive and psychological health.
The Bottom Line
A balanced and nutrient-dense diet that includes foods such as walnuts can have a positive impact on cognitive and psychological development, particularly during adolescence. The study's findings highlight the importance of providing adolescents with a healthy diet rich in essential nutrients that support brain development and function. Further research in this area could provide valuable insights into the role of nutrition in promoting cognitive and psychological health throughout life.