Food for Thought - Walnut and the Brain Part 1

If you have not seen our previous post on just what is the Doctrine of Signatures 🌿, do check it out, it's pretty fascinating! 🤯 Walnuts are a classic example of this doctrine for their resemblance to the brain! 🧠

Traditionally, walnuts (or Juglans to be proper) were considered medicinal treatment for head ailments. Its shell is not only shaped like the brain with folds and wrinkles, but the seal in the middle makes the shell resemble the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Sure enough, these nuts are one of the best foods for supporting brain health! Today we know they provide Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-6, and antioxidants such as vitamin E, flavonoids, ellagic acid, gamma tocopherol, and melatonin, all of which are linked to better brain power, improved concentration and memory!! Not only that, but walnuts reduce oxidative stress and inflammation—two things that are associated with brain diseases linked with older age (think Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s). 👊 🙌

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats, which are anti-inflammatory and needed for our cell membranes. Our bodies cannot produce Omega-3s on its own, and we must get these from our diet. Most nuts contain monounsaturated fats, but walnuts are the only nuts made of mainly polyunsaturated fat, with a portion of this fat being alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). In 1 ounce of walnuts, there are 2.5 grams of ALA, making them the only tree nut with such an excellent source of this essential fatty acid!! ALA is the precursor to the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are anti-inflammatory. This makes walnuts especially useful for vegans, and if we can eat enough ALA from plant sources, our bodies can convert this to enough DHA to meet our requirements! 💪

Sit tight for Part II for an additional extensive look at more of the amazing nutrients found in walnuts, and explore more benefits for the brain!! 🙏