Find out why walnuts are a teenager's best friend

A recent study has suggested that teenagers should eat walnut if they want their brain to stay healthy into old age and avoid anxiety. The walnut which is full of omega-3 fatty acids is beneficial for the developing brain. Lack of omega- 3 increases the risk of memory loss in adulthood.

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are necessary for human health, can also be found in high quantities in oily fish, soy beans and spinach. 

These, known in the medical community as n-3 PUFAs, can't be produced by the human body and must be obtained through food.

Scientists at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research centre fed mice a balanced diet until early adolescence for the study. After a point of time, they removed a few mice and started with a different diet on them. This diet lacked n-3 PUFA.

Mice who were fed the poor diet during adolescence had reduced levels of nutrient in areas of the brain that regulate emotions and the areas that are primarily involved in addiction.

The low-quality diet weakened connections between neurons in these regions impaired brain development.

According to Rob Hobson, registered London-based nutritionist and spokesperson for Healthspan said, “Walnuts contain omega-3 which is important for brain health. They are also a really rich source of selenium which is just as important for brain health.”

The new findings were published in The Journal of Neuroscience.