This food could be beneficial to your brain.
Dietary choices have an impact on almost every aspect of your life. They can impact your energy levels throughout the day, how your body matures, how your skin looks and feels, and more. They can also affect your brain function in the short and long term.
Some foods may help your mind function more effectively, while others may harm your cognitive ability. Dietary choices can influence your risk of Alzheimer's disease. According to new research, an oil found in walnuts may help guard against the disease.
Researchers looked at how oil extracted from walnuts affects the function of mitochondria, our cells' major source of energy, and other activities in a cellular model published in the journal Nutrients on April 19. They discovered that the extract reduced the generation of specific beta-amyloid, which are responsible for the plaques on the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease, and that it may boost the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule that helps fuel cells.
As a result, the researchers concluded that walnut oil could be a "promising agent" in the fight against the disease, albeit more research is needed.
"Walnuts are an important part of the Mediterranean diet, which has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD)," the researchers write. "Clinical investigations have shown that walnut eating boosts cognitive performance in the elderly."
They went on to say that the omega-3 fatty acid -linolenic acid (ALA) in the nuts aids in the formation of two omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that benefit cellular functions, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and that the nuts may have antioxidant properties.
"Of all nuts, walnuts contain the largest quantity of ALA," they write. "In addition, this [walnut] extract contains low quantities of lipophilic vitamin E, a potent antioxidant."
Walnuts have also been linked to several other advantages, including aiding sleep, improving heart health, and preventing liver damage.
Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disease in which one's memory, thinking, and other cognitive processes deteriorate over time, causing problems in daily living. According to the Centers for Conditions Control and Prevention (CDC), the disease impacted 5 million people in 2018, accounting for 1.6 percent of the US population.
Furthermore, analysts predict that by 2060, that percentage will rise to 3.3. They recommend getting checked early to enable persons with the disease and their families to cope as effectively as possible with the obstacles it entails.
A variety of lifestyle adjustments can help lower your risk of developing the disease. According to some studies, following the Mediterranean diet, or a variant of the Mediterranean diet designed specifically for brain health known as the MIND diet, can help protect you from it. Additionally, exercising regularly, maintaining an active social life, and engaging in brain-stimulating activities may help reduce your risk.