Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: A recent clinical trial involving university students found that consuming walnuts as food positively impacts general health and mental health during their studies.
Stressed students might want to consume walnuts in their daily diet days before their next examination.
A new clinical trial of students during their university studies has shown the positive effects of consuming walnuts on measures of biomarkers of general health and mental health.
A study published in the journal Nutrients and conducted by the University of South Australia suggested that walnuts may counteract the effects of stress on the gut microbiota, especially in female students.
The researchers say the study adds to the growing body of evidence associating walnuts with improved gut and brain health.
“Students experience academic stress during their studies, which harms their mental health, and they are particularly vulnerable during examinations,” researchers say.
Walnuts consumption and mental health
“We found that students who consumed about half a cup of walnuts daily showed positive mental health indicators. Walnut consumers also found improved metabolic biomarkers and sleeping quality in the longer term.”
Previous research has shown that walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, melatonin (sleep-inducing hormone), vitamin E, polyphenols, and folate, all of which promote a healthy gut and brain.
Assoc Prof Larisa Bobrovskaya maintained mental health disorders are common among university students and can negatively affect the academic performance of students and long-term physical health.
“We have found that consuming walnuts during stressful periods can improve general well-being and mental health in university students, and being a healthy and delicious snack and a versatile ingredient in several recipes, to fight some adverse effects of academic stress,” says Assoc Prof Bobrovskaya.
