Episode 55: From crunch to strength – The role of nuts in sarcopenia - Nuts for Life

26 August 2025

August 2025.

Listen here:

And available everywhere you listen to podcasts: https://pod.link/thehealthyhandful

About this episode

Malnutrition is a major public health issue in Australia, particularly for older Australians. Research shows around 50% of older Australians, in aged care and in the community, are either at risk of malnutrition, or are malnourished.

Often closely linked with malnutrition is sarcopenia, a condition characterised by an age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. Both conditions remain largely undiagnosed and untreated in older adults, despite available interventions.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Sze-Yen Tan, and explore the growing issues of sarcopenia and malnutrition in older adults – including why it matters, what the latest research says, and how something as simple and accessible as nuts, may play a surprising role in improving outcomes.

Key take-outs:

Sarcopenia and malnutrition are serious, growing issues.
Nuts offer a simple, enjoyable, and effective strategy to help support healthier ageing.
Healthcare providers, caregivers, and older adults themselves, should consider the role of small dietary changes, including nuts, to help mitigate malnutrition and sarcopenia.

Nuts may help prevent sarcopenia in older people, study finds

About today’s guest

Dr. Sze-Yen Tan is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, and Senior Lecturer at Deakin University. Yen is also an active researcher at the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), where his research focuses on finding effective dietary strategies that maintain healthy weight, prevent chronic diseases, and promote healthy ageing.