Past research has shown that walnut consumption may be associated with better overall cognitive function, however, few studies have utilized longitudinal data from observational studies of aging populations.
The observational analysis was carried out by defining walnut consumption as either none, low (0.01-0.08 1 oz. servings per day) or moderate intake (>0.08 1 oz. servings per day). Researchers measured cognitive function using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. The study used a sample of 3,632 US adults aged 65 years and older.
The results of the study found that those individuals who consumed walnuts showed higher cognitive scores at the baseline compared to those who did not consume walnuts. However, although there was an association between walnut consumption and better cognitive scores, it was not associated with cognitive change over a 4-year observational period.
Bishop, N. J., & Zuniga, K. E. (2020). Investigating walnut consumption and cognitive trajectories in a representative sample of older US adults. Public Health Nutrition, 1-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980020001287
The observational analysis was carried out by defining walnut consumption as either none, low (0.01-0.08 1 oz. servings per day) or moderate intake (>0.08 1 oz. servings per day). Researchers measured cognitive function using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. The study used a sample of 3,632 US adults aged 65 years and older.
The results of the study found that those individuals who consumed walnuts showed higher cognitive scores at the baseline compared to those who did not consume walnuts. However, although there was an association between walnut consumption and better cognitive scores, it was not associated with cognitive change over a 4-year observational period.
Bishop, N. J., & Zuniga, K. E. (2020). Investigating walnut consumption and cognitive trajectories in a representative sample of older US adults. Public Health Nutrition, 1-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980020001287