According to new research, experts have discovered that eating a certain snack daily could lower the risk of developing dementia by 12%. Published in the journal GeroScience, researches discovered adults who ate unsalted nuts had their dementia risk cut by 12%, compared to those who did not.
Over 50,000 people’s data was analysed, the participants of this research were between 40 to 70 years old and information about their nut consumption, lifestyle habits, health status and dementia diagnoses were provided. Anyone diagnosed with dementia at the start of the study was excluded.
Those involved were divided into two groups, one made up of those who ate nuts daily, and other made up of those who did not consume nuts at all. Participants who ate nuts were split into three further groups based on the volume of nuts they ate a day: no nuts, up to one handful per day, and more than one handful.
The study then tracked dementia diagnoses over time to identify any links, and by the end of the study 1,422 participants (2.8%) had been diagnosed with dementia. Researchers found that those who regularly ate nuts lowered their risk of developing dementia by 12% compared to those did not.
Eating a handful of unsalted almonds, such as almonds and cashews, had the strongest effect. The research also found that this habit had a bigger impact on certain subgroups, including women, older adults, non-smokers, and those regularly exercise.
Interestingly, eating more than an handful of nuts a day didn’t provide any extra benefits or cut the risk of development any further.
Dementia is a growing health challenge globally, a 2024 report commissioned by Alzheimer’s Society, shows that around a million people in the UK have a form of dementia. Researchers are constantly looking at different lifestyle and diet habits that can help reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Other recent research has indicated having a Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of dementia, and consuming olive oil regularly can reduce dementia diagnoses. According to the NHS website, different types of dementia can affect people differently, and everyone will experience symptoms in their own way.
Early signs to look out for include: memory loss, difficulty concentrating, finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word, being confused about time and place, and mood changes.
These symptoms are usually mild to begin with, but may worsen over time. These symptoms alone are not enough for a dementia diagnosis, and is instead often termed “mild cognitive impairment” (MCI). However, the NHS warns that people diagnosed with MCI can go on to develop dementia.
If you’ve having problems with your memory, or are struggling with the other symptoms mentioned, it is advised you see a GP as soon as possible.