Ashburn and Herndon Holiday Stress? Eat Walnuts!
Stressed out over the holidays? Eat walnuts! Walnuts are a holiday kind of nut. They come in all types of flavors and in all varieties of holiday treats. (And if they are not in your family recipe, add them this year!) Research connects 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. Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn tempts our Ashburn and Herndon stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating some walnuts (unless you’re allergic to them!) to find their calm! The Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic care plan embraces all sorts of good tips like this!
THE GUT BRAIN AXIS AND STRESS
A recent study based on earlier studies that linked the brain, the gut and the gut microbiota and the beneficial effect of consuming walnuts on mental health experimented with stressed out college students. Academic stress was associated with poorer mental health in college students, with their diet and food choices, their worse gut microbiota, and their moods. More females than males took part, but researchers found that walnut consumption enhanced these metabolic and stress markers. Researchers concluded that eating walnuts may well be protective against academic stress. (1) Let’s find out how well it works on holiday stress!
BENEFITS OF WALNUTS ON OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
Holiday parties and events affect normal eating patterns for many of us, influencing our blood tests and other issues. Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn knows! An analysis of published research on walnut consumption since 2017 reported that eating walnuts improved lipid profiles and reduced cardiovascular disease risk. Additionally, more and more studies are being published on other benefits like improved cognitive health, inflammation decrease, glucose level regulation, body weight decrease, 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 progress over a long period of time. Eating 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 research documenting that walnut consumption thwarted oxidative stress and inflammation, well-known contributors to cognitive decline. An fMRI study of participants after 2 years’ consumption found that the trial didn’t appear to impact healthy elders but suggested a delay in those who were 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 Ashburn and Herndon holiday season. Plain. Candied. Spicy. Cinnamon coated. Take your pick! Like they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn 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 Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the benefits of gentle, safe chiropractic treatment with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management incorporation on the nervous system.
Schedule your Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic appointment soon. Share with us your holiday stress…and your favorite tasty walnut treat!
