Researchers Say Walnuts Reduce Stress

The Journal of American College Nutrition reports Researchers at Penn State University believe a diet rich in walnuts and walnut oil may prepare the body to deal better with stress. Particularly:
“People who show an exaggerated biological response to stress are at higher risk of heart disease,” said Sheila G. West, associate professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State. “We wanted to find out if omega 3-fatty acids from plant sources would blunt cardiovascular responses to stress. Previous studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids, like the alpha linolenic acid found in walnuts and flax seeds, can reduce low density lipoproteins — better known as bad cholesterol.The researchers found that including walnuts and walnut oil in a diet lowered both resting blood pressure and blood pressure responses to stress in the laboratory."  See the article here.