Walnuts relieve stress symptoms

Walnuts relieve stress symptoms and thereby reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The daily consumption of walnuts can protect the body from stress reactions. According to a study by Penn State Pennsylvania scientists, however, a relatively high amount of walnuts must be consumed daily. On average, nine walnuts and one spoonful of walnut oil per day are sufficient to protect the body from stress-related reactions.

Nine walnuts and a spoonful of walnut oil were able to lower the so-called diastolic blood pressure at rest as well as the blood pressure under stress in the form of a diet. The reason for the study was the realization that many people react particularly strongly in stressful situations and thus there is an increased risk of heart disease. The researchers write in the scientific magazine „Journal of American College of Nutrition“, The aim was to examine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids on stress-related cardiovascular reactions.

The study involved 22 healthy adults. However, all subjects had an elevated LDL-cholesterol level. The participants were divided into two different groups. The first group got a normal average American diet plus 40 grams of walnuts and a tablespoon of walnut oil. The second group got only the walnut food plus one and a half spoonfuls of linseed oil. The test ran for a total of six weeks.

The result showed that walnut diet dieters had a decreased blood pressure in both physical and mental stress situations. The blood pressure increase was lower than those who ate a normal diet. To determine the values, participants were placed in artificially generated stress situations. The subjects had to give a speech while their feet dipped in the icy water. The blood pressure values ​​at rest were also significantly reduced. In linseed oil administration, no additional effects were observed.

Stress in everyday life can not always be prevented, the scientists say. However, the results of the study have shown that the use of walnuts or unsaturated fatty acids may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The body is better protected then. Walnut kernels have a 42 to 60 percent fat content and above average levels of omega-3 fatty acids for the heart. In a study on Mediterranean diets, walnuts have also been shown to reduce type II diabetes risk. (sb, 05.10.2010)

Picture: Rolf Handke