Slam the BRAKES on Brain Aging
By now, you probably know that your diet directly impacts your brain health.
Last week, I told you about the BIG brain benefit of omega-3s (they literally make your brain BIGGER).
But eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is also important for preventing cognitive decline and avoiding Alzheimer’s disease.
And while eating ANY fruit or veggie will deliver health benefits, a recent study highlighted those containing one key brain-boosting compound.
Researchers report this brain-friendly nutrient can slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia.
For the study, researchers followed nearly 1,000 people with an average age of 81. The participants answered food frequency questionnaires and took yearly cognitive and memory tests for seven years.
The results revealed that the folks who ate the most flavonol-rich foods had a slower rate of cognitive decline.
This makes sense since flavonols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
These benefits are critical for brain health because…
- Inflammation is a primary culprit behind general cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Antioxidants help reduce the buildup of harmful beta-amyloid plaque.
Foods that are rich in flavonols include:
- broccoli
- apples
- berries
- kale
- spinach
- tomatoes
- tea
- coffee
- wine
If you have trouble remembering the specific foods when grocery shopping, just keep in mind that (in general), the darker the fruit or vegetable, the higher the flavonol content.
P.S. When you need a little extra brain support, give these top 3 nutrients for optimal brain health a try.
SOURCE:
“Association of Dietary Intake of Flavonols With Changes in Global Cognition and Several Cognitive Abilities,” Neurology Nov 2022, 10.1212/WNL.0000000000201541; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000201541
