Solutions for an aging population
University of South Australia
Long-term, high nut consumption could be the key to better
cognitive health in older people according to new research from the University
of South Australia.
In a study of 4822 Chinese adults aged 55+ years, researchers
found that eating more than 10 grams of nuts a day was positively associated
with better mental functioning, including improved thinking, reasoning and
memory.
Lead researcher, UniSA's Dr Ming Li, says the study is the first
to report an association between cognition and nut intake in older Chinese
adults, providing important insights into increasing mental health issues
(including dementia) faced by an aging population.
"Population aging is one of the most substantial challenges of the twenty-first century. Not only are people living longer, but as they age, they require additional health support which is placing unprecedented pressure on aged-care and health services," Dr Li says.
"In China, this is a massive issue, as the population is
aging far more rapidly than almost any other country in the world.
"Improved and preventative health care -- including dietary
modifications -- can help address the challenges that an aging population
presents.
"By eating more than 10 grams (or two teaspoons) of nuts
per day older people could improve their cognitive function by up to 60 per
cent- compared to those not eating nuts -- effectively warding off what would
normally be experienced as a natural two-year cognition decline."
China has one of the fastest growing aging populations. In 2029,
China's population is projected to peak at 1.44 billion, with the ratio of
young to old dramatically imbalanced by the rising ranks of the elderly. By
2050, 330 million Chinese will be over age 65, and 90.4 million will be over
age 80, representing the world's largest population of this most elderly age
group.
More broadly, the World Health Organization says that by 2020,
the number of people aged 60 years and older will outnumber children younger
than five years old.
The UniSA study analysed nine waves of China Health Nutrition
Survey data collected over 22 years, finding that 17 per cent of participants
were regular consumers of nuts (mostly peanuts). Dr Li says peanuts have
specific anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects which can alleviate and
reduce cognitive decline.
"Nuts are known to be high in healthy fats, protein and
fibre with nutritional properties that can lower cholesterol and improve
cognitive health," Dr Li says.
"While there is no cure for age-related cognition decline
and neurogenerative disease, variations in what people eat are delivering
improvements for older people."
The World Health Organization estimates that globally, the
number of people living with dementia is at 47 million.
By 2030, this is projected to rise to 75 million and by 2050,
global dementia cases are estimated to almost triple. China has the largest
population of people with dementia.
"As people age, they naturally experience changes to
conceptual reasoning, memory, and processing speed. This is all part of the
normal aging process," Dr Li says.
"But age is also the strongest known risk factor for
cognitive disease. If we can find ways to help older people retain their
cognitive health and independence for longer -- even by modifying their diet --
then this absolutely worth the effort."