Williamson Holiday Stress? Eat Walnuts!
Stressful holidays? Eat walnuts! Walnuts are a holiday kind of nut. They come in all varieties of flavors and in all varieties of holiday treats. (And if they’re not in your family recipe, add them this year!) Research links the gut and the brain, so it seems logical that if the brain is stressed, the gut is, too. Researchers now study the effects of calming the gut and the stomach to calm the brain. Apple Country Chiropractic invites our Williamson stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating some walnuts (unless there is an allergy!) to find their calm! The Williamson chiropractic care plan embraces all sorts of good tips like this!
THE GUT BRAIN AXIS AND STRESS
A new study based on previous studies that linked the brain, the gut and the gut microbiota and the beneficial effect of eating walnuts on mental health tested stressed out college students. Academic stress was linked with poorer mental health in college students, with their choices of foods, their worse gut microbiota, and their moods. More females than males took part, but researchers found that walnut consumption enhanced these metabolic and stress markers. Researchers closed their paper stating that eating walnuts may well be protective against academic stress. (1) Let’s find out how well it translates to holiday stress!
BENEFITS OF WALNUTS ON OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
Holiday parties and events change normal eating patterns for many of us, making changes in our blood tests and other issues. Apple Country Chiropractic knows! An analysis of published research on walnut consumption since 2017 documented that eating walnuts enhanced lipid profiles and lessened cardiovascular disease risk. Further, more and more studies are being published on other benefits like improved cognitive health, inflammation reduction, glucose level regulation, body weight decrease, etc. (2) It’s a good thing walnuts appear in many holiday goodies!
WALNUTS AND COGNITION
Other research has documented the influence of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation on aging, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s another brain disorders, all issues that develop over a long period of time. Consuming walnuts for a long-time may delay or slow their onset owing to walnuts’ protective role against inflammation and oxidative stress. (3) There is an actual study called the Walnuts and Health Aging study based on prior research documenting that walnut consumption reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, recognized contributors to cognitive decline. An fMRI study of participants after 2 years’ consumption found that the trial did not seem to impact healthy elders but suggested a delay in those who were at higher risk of cognitive decline. (4) A delay in cognitive decline is a good outcome!
ADD SOME WALNUTS TO YOUR CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH PLAN
Let the researchers keep doing their research while we do our own! Try the theory yourself. Enjoy a few walnuts this Williamson holiday season. Plain. Candied. Spicy. Cinnamon coated. Take your pick! Like they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Apple Country Chiropractic might suggest “A walnut a holi-day may well calm you and maintain your health and happiness this and future holiday season(s)!” Happy holidays!
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the benefits of gentle, safe chiropractic treatment with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management incorporation on the nervous system.
Schedule your Williamson chiropractic appointment now. Share with us your holiday stress…and your favorite tasty walnut recipe!
