Insights & Discussion
Regular walnut consumption is consistently linked to improved cognitive performance in adults, particularly those at higher risk of cognitive decline.
The methodology of this review involved a systematic search of four different databases - Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL Plus, and Embase, from their inception through to April 2020. The search aimed to identify both interventional and observational studies that investigated the effect of nut intake on cognitive outcomes in adults aged 18 and above. The specific nuts studied included almonds, hazelnuts, macadamias, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, pine nuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, and peanuts. The review then selected the most relevant studies for further analysis; out of 2,374 identified articles, 22 met the criteria, with a combined participant count of 43,793.
The resulting discussion of this review's findings highlighted that, despite inconsistencies due to varying study designs and types of nuts studied, regular mixed nut intake could potentially protect cognitive function in different age groups. However, more notable was the recurrent evidence found in studies focusing on groups at a higher risk of cognitive impairment, which repeatedly reported improved outcomes. Particularly, studies specifically targeting walnut consumption consistently found it positively associated with enhanced cognitive performance. The review found homogeneous results within these walnut-centred studies, with only one out of six, including two randomized controlled trials, not reporting a positive association.
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Honey exhibits multifaceted benefits for brain health, acting as a memory booster, neuroprotective agent, anti-stress, and anti-nociceptive substance, fostering potential therapeutic applications to enhance overall cognitive well-being.
2023 Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience Honey on brain health: A promising brain booster Zamri NA, Ghani N, Ismail CAN, Zakaria R, Shafin N
Review Article Brain Health Cognitive Function Honey
This review scrutinizes 34 original articles exploring the impact of honey on brain health. Honey, traditionally known as a natural sweetener, emerges as a versatile substance with applications in nutrition, health supplementation, and brain health enhancement. The analysis identifies four key benefits: memory enhancement, neuroprotection, stress reduction, and pain alleviation. The review emphasizes the growing interest in understanding the mechanisms that underlie these effects, paving the way for potential therapeutic roles of honey in promoting cognitive well-being.
The literature review underscores the significant role of honey in brain health research, shedding light on its diverse benefits, including memory improvement, neuroprotection, stress mitigation, and pain relief. The emphasis on unraveling the underlying mechanisms reflects a broader interest in establishing honey's therapeutic potential for enhancing overall brain health. This comprehensive exploration of honey's effects on cognition opens avenues for developing novel therapeutic strategies harnessing honey's natural properties.
These reports suggest the benefits of a walnut-enriched diet in brain disorders and in other chronic diseases, due to the additive or synergistic effects of walnut components for protection against oxidative stress and inflammation in these diseases.
2020 Nutrients Beneficial Effects of Walnuts on Cognition and Brain Health Chauhan A, Chauhan V.
Systematic Review Alzheimer's Disease Brain Health Cognitive Function
Walnuts contain several components that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Animal and human studies from our and other groups suggest that supplementation with walnuts in the diet may improve cognition and reduce the risk and/or progression of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
Furthermore, several animal and human studies have suggested that walnuts may also decrease the risk or progression of other brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and depression, as well as of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Together, these reports suggest the benefits of a walnut-enriched diet in brain disorders and in other chronic diseases, due to the additive or synergistic effects of walnut components for protection against oxidative stress and inflammation in these diseases.
Daily consumption of decaffeinated green tea catechins may enhance working memory.
2020 Molecules Effect of Daily Intake of Green Tea Catechins on Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Subjects: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study Baba Y, Inagaki S, Nakagawa S, Kaneko T, Kobayashi M, Takihara T
Randomised Controlled Trial Cognitive Function Green Tea Green Tea Catechin
The study incorporated a double-blind, randomized, controlled approach to determine the effects of 336.4 mg of decaffeinated green tea catechins on cognitive function. It targeted Japanese adults, aged 50 to 69 years, exhibiting a Mini-Mental State Examination Japanese version score of over 24 and who self-identified as having cognitive decline. The experiment comprised administering a substance and then examining the cognitive function post a single dosage as well as following 12 weeks of everyday consumption. The Cognitrax testing battery was utilized to assess cognitive function.
In the results, it was observed that the incorrect response rate on the Continuous Performance Test significantly fell after a single dosage of green tea catechins. After 12 weeks of regular intake, the response duration for the two-back test in Part 4 of the 4-part Continuous Performance Test reduced, indicating potential improvement in working memory. The data suggests that consuming green tea catechins daily may potentially lead to cognitive enhancements, particularly in working memory.
Habitual and high-frequency tea consumption, particularly green tea, is associated with a reduced prevalence of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older individuals.
2020 BMC Geriatrics Association between tea consumption and cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older adults Zhang J, Wang A, Zhang X, Chen S, Wu S, Zhao X, et al.
Cohort Study Cognitive Function Green Tea Memory
The methodology of the study drew upon data from the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities in Community study involving individuals over 40. Through a standardized questionnaire, information regarding participants' tea consumption habits – including frequency and type of tea – was collected. Cognitive function was then evaluated utilizing two recognized tests: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Two distinct participant groups were chosen for these assessments: MMSE and MoCA subgroups.
The researchers found, after accounting for potential confounding factors, that usual and high frequency tea intake correlated with a decreased risk of cognitive impairment. Further analysis showed that this risk reduction was notably high for green tea drinkers than for consumers of other tea types, as indicated by the MMSE test. A similar pattern was observed in the results of the MoCA group, showing a consistent association between regular tea intake, especially green, and lower prevalence of mental decline.
Blueberries and their products may improve certain measures of cognitive performance, particularly memory, and positively affect mood.
2020 Brain, Behavior, and Immunity The effect of blueberry interventions on cognitive performance and mood: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials Travica N, D'Cunha NM, Naumovski N, Kent K, Mellor DD, Firth J, et al.
Systematic Review Blueberry Cognitive Function Memory
The systematic review process involved evaluating the results from randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of blueberries and blueberry products on cognitive performance and mood. A total of eleven articles, encompassing twelve studies, were examined. The studies employed various forms of blueberries - freeze-dried, whole, and concentrate. Different demographic groups were considered across the studies: children, young adults, and older people with or without known cognitive impairment. The studies considered the impact of consumed or supplemented blueberries, varied in dosage and duration, on cognitive performance, specifically in relation to both short-term and long-term memory, as well as spatial memory. Also, the studies investigated the effects on mood, particularly the potential enhancement of positive feelings.
The findings revealed that eight out of twelve studies reported an improvement in cognitive performance following the ingestion of blueberries, although variations in each specific study's design, dosage, and anthocyanin content made cross-study comparisons challenging. Regarding mood, out of five studies, only one study reported a significant improvement in mood upon consumption of blueberry products, while the others reported no significant change. Despite differences, all studies featured a low risk of bias overall, underscoring the perceived validity of these findings.
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