The California Walnut Commission has supported nutrition and health research for over 25 years, since the inception of the health research program in 1990, resulting in over 120 published papers through 52 universities in 9 different countries.
When the health research program began, walnuts were demonized as high fat food to be avoided. Now, they are a darling of healthy polyunsaturated fat, which if consumed as part of a healthy diet, may reduce the risk of disease. Prior to the health research program, virtually no one included walnuts in their diet to improve their health in the U.S. Now 84% of U.S. consumers believe walnuts to be good for your health and those health benefits influence 69% of consumers’ purchase decisions. Similarly, international perceptions of walnuts have grown as well, with 7 out of 10 consumers in Germany, Spain, China, and S. Korea believing walnuts are good for your health. The industry’s large body of health research was the reason California walnuts received a qualified health claim in the U.S. and three claims, one specific to walnuts, in the European Union.
Routine media coverage on walnuts’ health benefits is a direct result of the full pipeline of research projects that are published and promoted. In 2015, over half of media mentions in the U. S. and around the world included the health benefits of walnuts. Research has shown that consumers need to be reminded about walnuts’ benefits as they are not “top-of-mind.” Continued media coverage of new health studies keeps walnuts in the news and on the radar of the media and consumers, in addition to giving consumers new reasons to include walnuts in their daily diet.
Currently, the California Walnut Commission is supporting over 40 research projects which may provide outcomes showing the role of walnuts in improving cognitive health, weight management, heart disease and more. The CWC has collaborated with the American Institute of Cancer Research for over 10 years to research outcomes to delay cancer progression. To facilitate our research program, the CWC Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) was convened in 1995. The SAC now meets annually to review current projects, emerging trends, and guides long term strategy for the body of research.
Nutrition and scientific research advances offer knowledge and understanding of how healthy eating may have a role in chronic diseases prevention, including: cancer, heart disease, and diabetes and how foods such as walnuts, can improve quality of life. This research is necessary for many reasons. Most importantly it is imperative for dietary recommendations including, for example, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans which steer public policy and provide counseling insight for health professionals. Relationships between nutrition and human health will continue to evolve over time and guidelines will reflect advancements and translate the science at the time. The California Walnut Commission must continue to be at the table, providing scientific evidence on the health benefits of walnuts.
