Stressful holidays? Eat walnuts! They
are a holiday kind of nut. They come in all types
of flavors and in all varieties of holiday treats.
(And if they are not in your family recipe, put them in
them this year!) Research connects the gut and the brain, so it makes sense that if the brain is stressed, the gut is, too.
Researchers now watch the effects of calming the gut and
the stomach to calm the brain. Minster Chiropractic Center tempts our
Minster stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating
some walnuts (unless you’re allergic to them!) to find
their calm! The Minster chiropractic care plan embraces all sorts of good info like this!
THE GUT BRAIN AXIS AND STRESS
A recent study based on earlier
studies that connected the brain, the gut and the gut microbiota
and the beneficial effect of consuming walnuts on mental health tested stressed out college students. Academic stress was associated
with poorer mental health in college students, with their diet
and food choices, their worse gut microbiota, and their moods.
More females than males participated, but researchers documented
that walnut consumption enhanced these metabolic and stress
markers. Researchers concluded that eating
walnuts may well be protective against academic stress. (1) Let’s see how well it translates to holiday stress!
BENEFITS OF WALNUTS ON OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
Holiday parties and events affect normal
eating patterns for many of us, influencing our blood
tests and other issues. Minster Chiropractic Center knows! A review of
published research on walnut consumption since 2017 documented
that eating walnuts improved lipid profiles and reduced
cardiovascular disease risk. Further, more and more studies
are being published about other benefits like improved
cognitive health, reduced inflammation,
glucose level regulation, body weight decrease, etc. (2) It’s
a good thing walnuts appear in many holiday goodies!
WALNUTS AND COGNITION
Other research has reported on the
influence of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation on aging, mild cognitive
impairment, Alzheimer’s another brain disorders, all issues that develop
over a long period of time. Eating walnuts for a long-time may delay
or slow their onset due to walnuts’ protective
role against inflammation and oxidative stress. (3) There is an actual study
called the Walnuts and Health Aging study based on prior
research documenting that walnut consumption thwarted
oxidative stress and inflammation, recognized contributors to
cognitive decline. An fMRI study of participants after 2 years’ consumption found
that the trial did not appear to impact
healthy elders but suggested a delay in those who were at
higher risk of cognitive decline. (4) A delay in cognitive decline is a
good outcome!
ADD SOME WALNUTS TO YOUR CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH PLAN
Let the researchers keep doing their research
while we do our own! Try the theory yourself. Enjoy a few walnuts this Minster
holiday season. Plain. Candied. Spicy. Cinnamon coated. Take your pick! Like they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor
away.” Minster Chiropractic Center might suggest “A walnut a holi-day may well calm you and
maintain your health and happiness this and future holiday season(s)!” Happy holidays!
CONTACT Minster Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
illustrates the benefits of gentle, safe chiropractic treatment
with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management integration
on the nervous system.
Schedule your Minster chiropractic
appointment now. Share with us your holiday stress…and
your favorite tasty walnut treat!