Study Finds Walnuts Are The Best Nut For Supporting Healthy Aging

We're all looking for tried-and-true ways to boost our well-being, especially as we get older. Things like gut and brain health, as well as diet and exercise are all factors to take into consideration. And according to new data from the Nurses' Health Study, there's one kind of nut, in particular, that outshines the rest when it comes to healthy aging: walnuts.

The four-year-long study included data from almost 34,000 women in their late 50s and early 60s, looking for links between nut consumption and healthy aging. They were asked about their diets, physical health, memory, and more, as well as receiving a chronic disease evaluation.

Those who had sound mental health along with no major chronic diseases, memory issues, or physical disabilities were defined as "healthy agers," and they made up about 16% of the women in the study. And interestingly enough, eating just two servings of walnuts a week was linked with a greater chance of being a "healthy ager" compared to a diet lacking walnuts.

As populations continue to see longer and longer lifespans (the number of senior citizens in the U.S. has been climbing since the '60s), it's vital we learn more about how to support our health as we age. According to this study, it's estimated baby boomers will account for 21% of the population by 2034, with over half being women.

With that in mind, small dietary changes like eating more walnuts can go a long way in turning someone's diet and well-being around.