A recent study of over 4,000 participants found that a diet high in vegetables, fruit, nuts, whole grains, dairy, fish and low in sugary beverages was associated with larger brain volumes and better brain health. Similarly, nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts contain nutrients that may help reduce oxidative stress, cholesterol levels, and inflammation which are pathways involved in Alzheimer's disease. Healthy diets with plant-based foods, antioxidants, nuts and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to decrease the risk of neurocognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Diet is an important modifiable factor for brain health and the prevention of dementia.

1. PRESS RELEASE
Better Diet Quality is Associated with Better Brain Health
October 2018.
A recent observational study, which was carried out between 2005 and 2015 with 4,213
participants from the Rotterdam Study, links a healthy diet with better brain health. In particular,
a diet based on vegetables, fruit, nuts, whole grains, dairy, fish and a limited intake of sugary
beverages is associated with larger brain tissue volumes and thus may help promote brain
health. The results highlight the potential of nutrition to influence cognition and the risk of
developing dementia through brain health1.
Similarly, a scientific review reveals that almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts - which provide a wide
range of nutrients and phytochemicals - may affect several pathways involved in Alzheimer's
disease, such as oxidative stress, cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties2.
Healthy eating patterns, characterized by high consumption of plant-based foods, probiotics,
antioxidants, soy beans, nuts, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and a low intake of
saturated fats, animal-derived proteins, and refined sugars, have been shown to decrease the
risk of neurocognitive impairments and the eventual onset of Alzheimer's disease3.
Diet is therefore an important changeable risk factor for brain diseases, especially dementia.
Aging-associated diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s
disease (the most common type of dementia) are on the rise as a result of increased lifespan.
About the International Nut & Dried Fruit Council
INC members include more than 800 nut and dried fruit sector companies from over 70
countries. INC is the leading international organization on health, nutrition, statistics, food
safety, and international standards and regulations regarding nuts and dried fruit.
1
Croll, P. H., Voortman, T., Ikram, M. A., Franco, O. H., Schoufour, J. D., Bos, D., & Vernooij, M. W.
(2018). Better diet quality relates to larger brain tissue volumes: The Rotterdam Study. Neurology, 10-
1212.
2
Gorji, N., Moeini, R., & Memariani,Z. (2017).Almond, hazelnutand walnut,three nuts for neuroprotection
in Alzheimer’s disease: A neuropharmacological review of their bioactive constituents. Pharmacological
research.
3
Pistollato, F., Iglesias, R. C., Ruiz, R., Aparicio, S., Crespo, J., Lopez, L. D., ... & Battino, M. (2018).
Nutritional patterns associated with the maintenance of neurocognitive functions and the risk of dementia
and Alzheimer’s disease: A focus on human studies. Pharmacological research.