A study conducted by researchers from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona explored how walnuts influence the developing brain in teenagers. The findings indicate improvements in cognitive function, stronger fluid intelligence, and better focus in youths with attention issues. The work appeared in the medical journal eClinical Medicine, which is part of The Lancet family of publications.
Walnuts supply alpha-linolenic fatty acid, a form of omega-3 that supports brain development and strengthens connections between neurons. This nutrient is especially important during adolescence when the brain is refining its networks and capabilities.
In the study, researchers recruited 700 students aged 11 to 16 from 12 secondary schools in Barcelona. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one group consumed 30 grams of walnuts daily for six months, while the other group did not include walnuts in their diet.
Results showed that attention and behavior improved in students who ate walnuts for at least 100 days. The benefits extended to a measure described as mobile intelligence, a capacity for abstract thinking, reasoning, solving nonroutine problems, and recognizing patterns from information that does not require formal instruction. Individuals with higher mobile intelligence often demonstrate quicker problem-solving in a variety of contexts.