Walnut

Animal and lab studies only

• Benefit

  Stomach protection from painkillers⁶

  In animal studies, eating walnuts helped protect the stomach from damage caused by painkillers like indomethacin.

Study type not stated

• Open question

  Memory and thinking³

  Scientists do not yet know whether eating walnuts helps memory or thinking as people age.

• Benefit

  Heart and cell health⁴

  Walnuts and their nutrients may help the heart and protect cells, though scientists are still learning how.

• Benefit

  Heart and brain health⁵

  Walnut polyphenols may help protect against heart disease, cancer and brain decline, but scientists do not yet know for sure.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.