Effects of Walnuts on Postprandial Cognitive Function in Adults With Subjective Cognitive Impairment: Protocol for a Randomized Crossover Trial
Abstract
Background: Subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), the earliest sign of cognitive decline, affects 1 in 9 Americans aged older than 45 years. It negatively affects quality of life and is a risk factor for dementia. Healthy eating is a primary preventative strategy to impede cognitive decline. In the short term, cognitive function may be impacted by the consumption of a single meal, suggesting that the meal components, and not solely the metabolic dysregulation resulting from the condition of obesity, can impact cognition. The effect of meals on postprandial cognitive function is influenced by their macronutrient composition. A meal with a low-quality fat composition can acutely impair postprandial cognitive function. Walnuts are a source of high-quality fat as well as polyphenols. Some randomized control trials have shown that walnuts may benefit cognitive function. However, it is not clear whether a single meal high in walnuts can improve cognition in adults with SCI.
Objective: The primary objective of the Essential Fats for Enhancing Cognitive Thinking study is to determine the impact of walnuts on postprandial cognitive function in adults with SCI. Secondary objectives include assessing the impact of daily walnut consumption for 1 week on cognitive function and erythrocyte fatty acids. Exploratory objectives include understanding the effect of walnut consumption on microbiota and intestinal inflammation.
Methods: In this 7-week single-blind randomized crossover design…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 78 participants or records.
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