Minster Holiday Stress? Eat Walnuts!
Stressed out over the 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’re not in your family recipe, add them this year!) Research links 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 tips like this!
THE GUT BRAIN AXIS AND STRESS
A recent study based on previous studies that connected the brain, the gut and the gut microbiota and the beneficial effect of eating walnuts on mental health tested stressed out college students. Academic stress was linked with poorer mental health in college students, with their choices of foods, their poorer gut microbiota, and their moods. More females than males took part, but researchers found that walnut consumption enhanced these metabolic and stress markers. Researchers concluded that eating walnuts may well be protective against academic stress. (1) Let’s find out 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! An analysis of published research on walnut consumption since 2017 documented that eating walnuts enhanced lipid profiles and decreased cardiovascular disease risk. Additionally, more and more studies are being published about other benefits like enhanced cognitive health, inflammation reduction, 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 documented 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 postpone or slow their appearance owing to walnuts’ protective role against inflammation and oxidative stress. (3) There is actually a Walnuts and Health Aging study based on previous research documenting that walnut consumption reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, recognized contributors to cognitive decline. An fMRI study of participants after 2 years’ consumption found that the trial didn’t appear to affect 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 continue 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 incorporation on the nervous system.
Make your Minster chiropractic appointment now. Bring us your holiday stress…and your favorite tasty walnut treat!
