Mixed Tree Nuts, Cognition, and Gut Microbiota: A 4-Week, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Crossover Trial in Healthy Nonelderly Adults

Beneficial effects of nut supplementation on cognitive function have previously been demonstrated in young and older adults. Alterations to gut microbiota have also been shown following tree nut consumption. However, no data exists on the effects of nuts on cognition and intestinal microbial communi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of nutrition 2022-12, Vol.152 (12), p.2778-2788
Main Authors: Haskell-Ramsay, Crystal F, Dodd, Fiona L, Smith, Darren, Cuthbertson, Lewis, Nelson, Andrew, Lodge, John K, Jackson, Philippa A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Aged
Bacteria
Bacteria - genetics
Cognition
Cognitive ability
Cognitive Dysfunction
cognitive function
Community structure
Consumption
Cross-Over Studies
Dietary supplements
Digestive system
Digestive tract
Dysbacteriosis
Ecological effects
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
gut microbiota
healthy adults
Humans
Intestinal microflora
Lachnospiraceae
Metabolic response
Metabolomics
Microbial activity
Microbiota
Microorganisms
Mood
Nutrient Requirements and Optimal Nutrition
Nutrition
Nuts
Older people
Placebos
Recognition
Supplements
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Beneficial effects of nut supplementation on cognitive function have previously been demonstrated in young and older adults. Alterations to gut microbiota have also been shown following tree nut consumption. However, no data exists on the effects of nuts on cognition and intestinal microbial communities assessed within the same study. The study aimed to examine the effects of daily consumption of tree nuts for 4 wk on cognitive function (primary outcome), mood, metabolomics, and gut microbial species (secondary outcomes) in healthy, nonelderly adults. This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, counterbalanced crossover study assessed the effects of 4 wk of supplementation with 30 g/d mixed tree nuts versus placebo on cognition and mood in 79 healthy adults aged 18–49 y. Metabolic responses, gut bacterial community structure, and the potential for these to impact cognition were explored using a multi-omic approach. Bacterial community analysis was conducted in Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology 2 (QIIME2). Mixed model analysis indicated that nut consumption led to significant improvements to accuracy (placebo M = 92.2% compared with NUTS M = 94.5%; P = 0.019) and speed of response (placebo M = 788 ms compared with NUTS M = 757 ms; P = 0.004) on a picture recognition task. No significant changes to bacterial community α or β diversity were observed when comparing nut consumption to the placebo arm. However, an unclassified Lachnospiraceae amplicon sequence variant (ASV) was significantly enriched in participants when supplemented with nuts (P = 0.015). No correlations were observed between the changes to picture recognition and the changes to the unclassified Lachnospiraceae ASV. There were no significant changes to the urinary metabolome. These findings indicate a positive effect of nut on cognition following only 4 wk of consumption in a healthy nonelderly sample, as well as upregulation of a microbial taxa associated with gut health. The effects appear to be independent of one another, but further exploration is required in those experiencing cognitive decline and/or gut dysbiosis.
ISSN:0022-3166
1541-6100
DOI:10.1093/jn/nxac228