Long-Term Effects of Walnut Consumption on Brain Function

Rationale: Healthy foods, including mixed nuts, may improve brain function, which is essential for cognitive and metabolic health, and may contribute to improved food intake regulation. It is therefore important to investigate the specific effects of walnuts on cerebral blood flow responses before and after intranasal insulin administration, as well as their associated functional benefits. The investigators hypothesize that long-term walnut consumption improves vascular function and insulin-sensitivity in the brain, thereby enhancing cognitive performance and appetite control in abdominally obese men and women. Objective: The primary objectives are to investigate in abdominally obese adults the effects of 24-week walnut consumption on (regional) vascular function and insulin-sensitivity in the brain, while the investigators will also assess changes in cognitive performance and appetite-related brain reward activity (secondary objectives). Cerebral blood flow responses before (brain vascular function) and after the administration of intranasal insulin spray (brain insulin-sensitivity) will be quantified by the non-invasive gold standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-perfusion method Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL). Study design: This intervention study will have a randomized, controlled parallel design. The total study duration will be 24 weeks. Study population: Fifty-five abdominally obese men and (postmenopausal) women (aged 45-75 years) without a history of cardiovascular diseases or complaints will participate. This study population is expected to have a decreased cerebral blood flow at baseline and are also at increased risk of cognitive impairment, allowing for improvement by the intervention. Intervention: Study participants will receive daily 50 g (about 15% of energy) of raw walnuts (walnut intervention) or no walnuts (control intervention) for 24 weeks. Main study parameters/endpoints: At baseline and after 24 weeks (follow-up), participants will visit the research facilities for assessments. The primary endpoint is the difference in the cerebral blood flow response before and after intranasal insulin administration between the walnut and control intervention. Cognitive performance will be assessed, while the investigators will also focus on appetite-related brain reward activity (secondary outcomes).