Walnuts are rich in protein, vitamins E and B6, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid that is converted in the body to DHA, all of which promote healthy neural tissues. Researchers at Tufts University feed aged rats a diet comprised of two, six and nine percent walnuts (the equivalent of eating about 1.5 ounces for humans) and found that certain markers of brain aging as well as motor and cognitive deficits were reversed after following this high-walnut diet. After all, a snack that looks like a brain must be good for your brain!
Enjoy: 1.5 to 2 ounces (about a small handful) daily
