Cheap snack can slash dementia risk by 12 per cent

A simple tweak to your diet could dramatically cut your chances of dementia, a study has found. Research featured in GeroScience  indicates the risk may be slashed by as much as 12% with just a small serving of nuts, when compared with people who consumed none whatsoever.

One of the most substantial protective advantages came from consuming unsalted nuts whilst keeping servings to roughly one handful daily, equivalent to approximately 30g.

The study, however, did stress that consistency is key. Because this habit lowers the risk, the results remained consistent regardless of the person’s age, sex, health habits, or existing medical conditions.

The investigation drew upon UK Biobank information, gathered from 2007 through to 2023, analysing the relationship between nut consumption and dementia risk, whilst excluding those with a prior diagnosis. Initial nut intake was assessed via a 24-hour dietary questionnaire, with dementia occurrences monitored through hospital records, medical documentation, or mortality certificates.

Compared to people who didn’t consume nuts, those who ate them daily – up to three or more handfuls – had a 12% lower risk of developing all-cause dementia, which researchers described as a “significantly associated” reduced risk for the likes of Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia and vascular dementia.

This cheap, simple, readily available yet potent snack could stave off dementia, the study’s researchers suggest. The study notes: “The daily consumption of nuts may play a protective role in the prevention of dementia.”

While 12 were previously known, two new risks have been added this year. The risk factors include:

Outlining the lifestyle elements which may heighten an individual’s risk, the research noted: “Evidence is increasing and is now stronger than before that tackling the many risk factors for dementia that we modelled previously reduces the risk of developing dementia. In this report, we add the new compelling evidence that untreated vision loss and high LDL cholesterol are risk factors for dementia.”