Walnuts appear to enhance mood in non-depressed healthy young males.
The study's methodology involved an evaluation process using 64 volunteer college students. These individuals were randomly assigned into two different treatment sequences - one involving a walnut intake followed by a placebo, and the other vice versa. Both of these sequences began with an evaluation of the volunteers' base mood, measured using Profiles of Mood States (POMS). After an eight-week interval of sticking to the prescribed plan, their mood was assessed again. This was followed by a 'washout' period of six weeks, during which the volunteer groups reversed their dietary routines - those on walnuts moved to placebo and the ones on placebo switched to walnuts. After another eight-week interval, a final mood assessment occurred.
The results displayed a lack of significant mood changes in females or when setting aside gender distinctions in the analysis. The exciting element of this study was found in assessing specifically healthy, non-depressed male subjects. There was a pertinent improvement in their Total Mood Disturbance score, implying an enhancement in mood when consuming walnuts.
