Walnuts against food cravings
Walnuts are known to be a heart-friendly snack, but new research has shown that this nutrient can help people on a diet control their cravings.
According to the Medical Daily, edible nuts are rich in antioxidants and good fats. Hence, they are one of the great foods for any healthy person. People on a diet need heart-friendly foods that benefit from protein content as a snack that makes them feel full, but a new study shows that the nutritional profile of edible brains is only There is no reason to turn them into a good weight loss option.
Research published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism shows that walnuts activate an area in the brain that has been linked to controlling hunger and food cravings. This is the first time a study has shown that edible brains may actually alter the way the brain works and possibly prevent food cravings.
We often do not think about the effect of what we eat on brain activity. Previous studies have shown the role of walnuts in satiety, but the evidence for changes in brain activity associated with dietary symptoms has been surprising.
In this study, 10 participants who were considered obese were studied over two different five-day periods. Over a period of time, all participants consumed smoothies, each containing 48 grams of walnuts. In the next course, participants consumed a walnut-free smoothie, although it had similar nutritional and flavor conditions to the walnut smoothie. The study was conducted randomly, so participants and researchers were unaware of which smoothie contained walnuts. On the last day of the courses, fMRI imaging was performed on each participant. This allowed researchers to detect changes in the brain by observing oxygen levels. Similarly, when an area was more active, there was more oxygen to help in that area.
During the fMRI imaging, the research team showed participants images of foods such as hamburgers and desserts and neutral images of flowers, and then foods that do not cause cravings, such as vegetables. As expected, people reacted to images of unhealthy foods, but this reaction is not what you might think. An area in the brain called the right insula, which is associated with appetite control, was more active in people who ate walnut smoothies while watching unhealthy but delicious foods.
Aside from controlling cravings, eating walnuts has been linked to many other health benefits, including fighting inflammation, lowering bad cholesterol, preventing plaque formation, and supporting healthy bones and immune systems.