Manahawkin Holiday Stress? Eat Walnuts!
Stressed out over the holidays? Eat walnuts! They’re a holiday kind of nut. They come in all types of flavors and in all sorts of holiday treats. (And if they’re not in your family recipe, put them in them this year!) Research links the gut and the brain, so it makes sense 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. Manahawkin Chiropractic Center tempts our Manahawkin stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating some walnuts (unless there is an allergy!) to find their calm! The Manahawkin chiropractic care plan embraces all sorts of good tips like this!
THE GUT BRAIN AXIS AND STRESS
A recent study based on previous studies that linked the brain, the gut and the gut microbiota and the beneficial effect of consuming walnuts on mental health tested stressed out college students. Academic stress was linked with poorer mental health in college students, with their diet and food choices, their worse gut microbiota, and their moods. More females than males joined, but researchers found that walnut consumption improved these metabolic and stress markers. Researchers closed their paper stating that eating walnuts may well protect against academic stress. (1) Manahawkin Chiropractic Center and our chiropractic family can see 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. Manahawkin Chiropractic Center knows! An analysis of published research on walnut consumption since 2017 reported that eating walnuts enhanced lipid profiles and reduced cardiovascular disease risk. Additionally, more and more studies are being published about other benefits like improved cognitive health, reduced inflammation, glucose level regulation, body weight reduction, etc. (2) It’s a good thing walnuts appear in many holiday goodies!
WALNUTS AND COGNITION
Other research has reported on 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 postpone 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 studies’ documenting that walnut consumption counteracted oxidative stress and inflammation, recognized contributors to cognitive decline. An fMRI study of participants after 2 years’ consumption found that the trial didn’t seem to affect healthy elders but suggested a delay in subgroups 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 Manahawkin holiday season. Plain. Candied. Spicy. Cinnamon coated. Take your pick! Like they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Manahawkin Chiropractic Center 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 Manahawkin Chiropractic Center
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 Manahawkin chiropractic appointment today. Bring us your holiday stress…and your favorite tasty walnut treat!
