Alzheimer's disease: A novel food to improve cognitive function Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., MS Walnuts have been shown to improve memory, cognition and neuronal effects related to oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation (INF) in animals and human trials. Walnut looks like the brain, has a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. The folds and wrinkles of a walnut resemble a human organ: the brain. The shape of the nut even approximates the body part, looking like it has left and right hemispheres. And it's no surprise walnuts are nicknamed "brain food"—they have a very high content of omega-3 fatty acids, which help support brain function." The wrinkles and folds mimic the neo-cortex. Walnuts develop over three dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function. They may also help head off dementia. Recent study found that walnut extract broke down the protein-based plaques associated with Alzhei