A recent study demonstrates that consuming mixed nuts may have beneficial effects on brain insulin sensitivity in older adults who are overweight or obese.
- Overweight and obesity are mainly due to a diet that is too rich and too little physical activity.
- The main and most serious complications are cardiovascular: high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke.
- In this study, long-term consumption of mixed nuts significantly improved insulin sensitivity in the occipital and frontal regions of the participants’ brains.
Published in THE Journal of the American College of Nutrition, the study consists of examining the long-term effects of consumption of mixed nuts on insulin in adults suffering from overweight or obesity. The researchers recruited 28 healthy adults and divided them into two groups. For 16 weeks, one group received 60 grams of mixed nuts consisting of walnuts, pistachios, cashews and hazelnuts every day, while the other group did not consume any (for the control phase). After an 8-week washout period, during which no nuts were consumed, participants were assessed on insulin action in the brain.
Consumption of mixed nuts has the potential to improve brain insulin sensitivity
The results showed that mixed nuts had a positive impact on insulin action in brain regions that are involved in managing metabolic and cognitive processes. These brain regions are essential for the regulation of appetite, metabolism and decision-making.
In addition to improving the action of insulin in the brain, nuts are also associated with an improvement in the lipid content in the liver and on the various cardiometabolic risk factors (risk of developing diabetes or stroke). This suggests that they could have beneficial effects on overall metabolic health in overweight or obese people. Additionally, participants’ weight and body composition did not change significantly.
Encouraging results but further research needed
Overall, this study provides promising evidence for the beneficial effects of nuts. However, it should be emphasized that this study only represents a sample of 28 participants and does not allow definitive conclusions to be drawn. This first observation highlights the potential of mixed nuts in the prevention and management of metabolic diseases linked to obesity. It is therefore recommended to include mixed nuts in a balanced diet for people suffering from overweight or obesity.
