Walnuts and Phytic Acid

[Cireeric]

Recently I became quite interested in nutrition. I first read Dave Aspreys HeadStrong which I found very exciting to read. I implemented some of it and it made some difference for me. Now I read his next book, where he talks about "AntiNutrients" and specifically phytic acid. Before the book I thought Walnuts are a no brainer in terms of positive benefits for brain-health and bought them regularly, feeling good about it. Now Dave says they contain phytic acid which will suck the minerals out of me. I searched on the internet and couldnt really find consensus on the topic. This is a struggle since they were a stable in my diet, which I felt good about and now they are seemingly bad for me.

How seriosly should I take this topic of "anti-nutrients", especially related to walnuts and is eating a hand of walnuts a day now a net positive or negative for me?

Would love to hear the thoughts of some of the nutritional guys here on the forum

 

Edited July 17, 2024 by Cireeric

[Cireeric]

Wow, thx for your detailed answer and reasoning! Will also think about the hierarchy of evidence concept. Finally I can enjoy my walnuts again  

I still pretty much enjoyed his book: HeadStrong and found some stuff in it quite useful and had the feeling that it had an positive impact on my wellbeing and cognition, mainly adding more good fats and doing IF or some other fasting irregularly + giing some more praise to some of my already implemented practices like cold-showers and meditation. Do you read it and what is your opinion on this book?

[Yimpa]

9 minutes ago, Cireeric said:

Wow, thx for your detailed answer and reasoning!

Much more sophisticated than ChatGPT 

[MarkKol]

Anti-nutrients and phytic acid are of no concern in nutrition, you'll still absorb the majority of the nutrients in your food.

What if I told you that phytic acid actually has anti-cancer properties? Lame carnivore meatheads