Scientists at Maastricht University (Netherlands) found that long-term use of a mixture of different nuts has a beneficial effect on the state of the cerebrovascular system and cognitive abilities in the elderly. Results of the study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition.
28 elderly men and women took part in the work of the scientists. For four months, some of the participants consumed 60 grams of a nut mix daily, including cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts and pistachios. At the beginning, during and at the end of the study, the functions of the peripheral vessels of the brain were evaluated several times, as well as the cognitive performance of the participants.
The results showed that eating hazelnuts led to a lower cholesterol and carbohydrate intake, and a greater intake of fiber and healthy fats, compared to the control group. The state of the vascular system of the brain and the memory of the volunteers who consumed hazelnuts improved (16%).
Scientists have not recorded any negative consequences of such a diet.