Study: Walnut intake linked to healthy ageing in women

Consumption of at least two servings of walnuts every week may be associated with healthy ageing among women, a study claims. "Healthy aging" was defined as longevity with sound mental health and no major chronic diseases, cognitive issues or physical impairments following the age of 65. Researchers, including those from Bordeaux Population Health Research Center in France, found that women in their late 50s and early 60s who consumed at least two servings of walnuts per week had a greater likelihood of healthy ageing compared to those who did not eat walnuts.

After accounting for various factors that could impact health in older adults, such as education and physical activity, walnuts were the only nut associated with significantly better odds of healthy ageing, according to the study published in the Journal of Aging Research.
Previous research from Francine Grodstein, formerly of Brigham and Women's Hospital in the US, found that eating walnuts may have a positive impact on reducing the risk for physical impairments in older adults as well as cognitive decline.

The research also found decreases in cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes - all conditions that become more common as we age, the researchers said. There is no one solution to slowing down the effects of ageing, but adopting the right habits, like snacking on a handful of walnuts, can help, they said. In the latest study, Grodstein looked at data from 33,931 women in the US Nurses' Health Study (NHS) to evaluate the association between nut consumption and overall health and well-being in ageing.

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