Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) is one of the most popular and nutrient-rich nuts, valued for its pleasant flavor and high nutritional content, earning it a special place in healthy diets. This delicious nut is not only enjoyed as a tasty snack, but scientific research has shown that hazelnuts, due to their key nutrients—such as unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—have positive effects on brain health and help prevent cognitive disorders such as dementia.
Thanks to their antioxidants, unsaturated fats, B vitamins, and minerals, hazelnuts can help boost brain health. These properties contribute to reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, improving cerebral blood flow, enhancing memory and cognitive performance, and preventing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Hazelnuts play a vital role in brain protection within healthy dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean and MIND diets.
A randomized clinical trial published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity in 2019 found that a hazelnut-rich diet could improve the expression of genes related to antioxidant defense and anti-inflammatory activity.
In this study, participants consumed 40 grams of hazelnuts daily for six weeks. The results showed that:
* Expression of the SOD1 gene (superoxide dismutase enzyme) increased by 2.42 times.
* Expression of the CAT gene (catalase enzyme) increased by 2.41 times.
* Expression of the PPARγ gene (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) increased by 5.89 times.
These changes in gene expression were associated with enhanced antioxidant capacity. They reduced inflammatory markers, which together may help protect nerve cells from oxidative stress, one of the key factors in the development of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases.
Another study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, reported that diets containing hazelnuts and other tree nuts help reduce inflammation and improve vascular health, which in turn indirectly benefits brain health.
Conclusion
Based on existing evidence, the regular consumption of hazelnuts as part of a balanced diet can be a natural approach to supporting brain function and lowering oxidative stress risk. However, to firmly establish their role in dementia prevention, further long-term clinical studies are necessary.
written by: Sara Ebrahimi
