Eating mixed nuts helps your brain health: what science knows about how a hazelnut affects your memory

Mixed nuts may support a healthier gut microbiota and, in turn, better brain health, with observational evidence linking regular intake to slower cognitive decline.

A 2024 review and a six-year Spanish study of 747 people with overweight and metabolic syndrome found associations with greater microbial diversity and better cognitive outcomes.

Researchers, including Tim Spector, point to possible roles for fiber, polyphenols, short-chain fatty acids, and reduced neuroinflammation.

However, the evidence is still correlational, so it does not prove that nuts directly cause better memory or slower dementia risk.