A handful of nuts a day can reduce the risk of depression by up to 17 percent, according to researchers.

The researchers looked at medical data and lifestyle information for half a million Britons, drawn from the UK Biobank database.

The survey itself was based on data from more than 13,000 women and men ages 37 to 73, who were followed from 2007 to 2020. None of them initially suffered from depression, which 8.3 percent of them had five years later.

Those who stated they ate at least 30 grams of nuts daily were found to have a 17 percent lower incidence of depression than the rest. This applies regardless of whether they eat walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, almonds, pistachios, or any other nuts.

Uncertain cause

– Our results highlight the potential role of legumes in preventing depression in those without other known risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, high alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, physical inactivity and insufficient sleep, loneliness and multiple medications medical. those conditions, the researchers conclude in a recent issue of the journal Clinical Nutrition.

Researchers aren’t sure why nuts have such a positive effect on mental health. One theory is that because of the antioxidants, another is that nuts contain anti-inflammatory properties.

Positive substance

The researchers showed that nuts contain bioactive substances such as phenols or phytosterols, essential micronutrients, fiber, high-quality protein, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamins. All of these can have a positive impact on mental health.

– This is another good reason to eat nuts, says Bruno Bizzozero-Peroni, who is affiliated with the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain.

(© NTB)