You can’t miss the resemblance between a walnut and the human brain. And for good reason: there’s evidence that eating walnuts can help boost and protect brain health, a benefit significant to aging populations. One of the world’s oldest tree foods, with the best nutritional profile of all nuts, walnuts are an essential ingredient in a healthy diet.

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS

• the only nuts that contain high levels of omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) an essential fatty acid that promotes heart health
• walnuts have similar benefits to oily fish in terms of reducing cholesterol levels
• good source of copper, manganese and magnesium, all of which contribute to bone health

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Walnuts don’t guzzle water like almonds, but some arborists and gardeners dislike them, the black walnut in particular, because they release juglone, a chemical toxic to most trees and plants. Those susceptible may wilt, grow stunted or perhaps even die. It’s best to research which varieties are resistant before planting near a walnut tree.