Big News For the Walnut Industry On the Health Front!

The 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee supports walnuts as the Omega3 ALA nut.

Jennifer Olmstead is marketing director for domestic public relations for the California Walnut board and commission. “Yes, so we are in the midst of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Process. And as part of that process, there's a Dietary Guidelines Committee that meets and reviews new research, and then provides a recommendation to the government,” said Olmstead.

And California walnuts are on their minds.

“It's exciting is this year as walnuts were called out for a few different reasons,” Olmstead said. “They continue to be recommended as a polyunsaturated fat so that the guidelines recommend that you sub-out some of those saturated fatty acids in your diet, and you replace it with good fats that are found in walnuts, but what's even more positive for walnuts is that consumption of Omega3, ALA the plant based source, is recommended as a way to maintain normal blood cholesterol levels. And walnuts are mentioned as a way that you can get that ALA and your diet,” she said.

“The Dietary Guidelines Committee for their next report cycle in 2025, they want to look into non-fish sources of Omega3 and the potential impact on cognitive health for this report that ultimately turns into dietary guidance for Americans,” explained Olmstead.