Research suggest walnuts can be beneficial to mens’ health.
Being healthy can also be delicious. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids[1], the plant-based essential fatty acid, California Walnuts are the perfect snack for fathers everywhere. Defend dad’s health with walnuts:
- Prostate Cancer: According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of male cancer deaths in the United States. Research from the School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio shows that walnuts may help reduce prostate cancer risk in mice. The study results found that 18.7% of the walnut-fed mice developed tumors, compared to 44% of the control diet mice that developed tumors. The study also states that the first appearance of a tumor was in one of the walnut-consuming mice, but that with the control diet the tumors began to appear at an accelerated rate. In addition, the final average tumor size in the walnut-fed animals was approximately 25% the average size of the prostate tumors that developed in the mice consuming the non-walnut control diet. Please note further research is needed to determine effects and/or benefits in humans.
- Cardiovascular Disease: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States. More than two decades of extensive published research has uncovered various heart health benefits in walnuts. Due to the strength of evidence supporting cardiovascular health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved one of the first qualified health claims for a whole food for walnuts in 2004.[2]
Cognitive Decline: Men over the age of 65 are more likely to suffer cognitive impairment than women of the same age according to a Mayo Clinic Study[3]. While there is no known cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, walnuts have been shown to aid in improving cognitive function. Animal research published in the British Journal of Nutrition found a diet containing as much as 6% walnuts (equivalent to one ounce or 1/4 cup in humans) was able to reverse age-related motor and cognitive deficits in aged rats.[4] Please note further research is needed to determine effects and/or benefits in humans.
[1] One ounce of walnuts provides 18g of total fat, 2.5g of monounsaturated fat, 13g of polyunsaturated fat, including 2.5g of alpha-linolenic acid—the plant-based omega-3.
[2] Supportive but not conclusive research shows that eating 1.5 ounces of walnuts per day, as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet, and not resulting in increased caloric intake may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, March 2004.
[3] Roberts RO, Geda YE, Knopman DS, Cha RH, Pankratz VS, Boeve BF, Tangalos EG, Ivnik RJ, Rocca WA, Petersen RC. The incidence of MCI differs by subtype and is higher in men: the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. Neurology. 2012 Jan 31;78(5):342-51.
[4] Willis LM, Shukitt-Hale B, Cheng V, Joseph JA. Dose-dependent effects of walnuts on motor and cognitive function in aged rats. Br J Nutr. 2009 Apr;101(8):1140-4.