Nuts Go to Your Head — And That’s a Great Thing

When we talk about eating whole foods to maintain good health, we’re often focused on the body. But we all know that the mind is just as important, and it needs maintaining with SuperFoods, too.

In 2002, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a report which found that a high dietary intake of vitamin C and vitamin E may lower one’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In another study, vitamin E consumption was linked to a 70 percent reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s over a four-year period. Nuts are one of the richest dietary sources of vitamin E, especially walnuts, the headlining SuperFood nut.

Folic Acid is the nutrient that has gotten some attention lately because of its ability to prevent birth defects, particularly neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Nuts are rich in folic acid. The benefits of folic acid go beyond its critical role in birth-defect prevention. Folic acid also lowers homocysteine (an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease) and helps prevent cancer and various causes of aging.

Last but not least, the copper in nuts is helpful in maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol. It also contributes to healthy blood pressure and helps prevent abnormal glucose metabolism.

Nut health benefits are for both mind and body. Eating a small amount of a variety of nuts daily will definitely boost your overall health.