Eat two of these foods daily to protect against dementia

  1. come-on.de
  2. Life
  3. Health

Flavonoids are phytochemicals found in vegetables and fruits. They are said to promote brain health and prevent dementia.

In Germany, 1.8 million people currently suffer from dementia. The risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases are diverse. In addition to genetic conditions, your own lifestyle plays an important role. Because it is precisely with the help of diet that cognitive decline can be prevented. Researchers from Belfast looked at foods rich in flavonoids.

Don’t miss out: You can find everything about health in the newsletter of our partner 24vita.de.

Flavonoid-rich foods can prevent dementia

Elderly man holds cup in his hand
Drinking five servings of green or black tea every day promotes your brain health and reduces the risk of dementia. © Pond5 Images/IMAGO

Flavonoids are so-called secondary plant substances that are found in vegetables, fruits and nuts. Among other things, they are responsible for the color of the fruit. They also protect the plant from pests. For your studywhich is in the specialist magazine JAMA Network was published, the research team examined the connection between diet and dementia using data from around 122,000 adults between the ages of 40 and 70. Using the hospital and death data, they determined the participants’ diet and the occurrence of dementia and linked the two. Previous illnesses such as depression or high blood pressure as well as genetic risk were taken into account. The scientists focused their analysis on the following flavonoid-rich foods:

  1. Apples
  2. Berries
  3. Dark chocolate
  4. grapefruit
  5. Oranges
  6. paprika
  7. red wine
  8. Tea (green and black)
  9. grapes
  10. Onions

The observational study spanned a period of just over nine years. During this time, 882 of the participants developed dementia. It was found that those people who consumed the most flavonoid-rich foods were more physically active than the other participants. They also had a lower body mass index (BMI). Based on the study results, the researchers were also able to determine that participants with the highest intake of flavonoids had a 28 percent lower risk of dementia than those with the lowest consumption. The former group consumed an average of six additional portions of flavonoid-rich foods every day.

Three foods provided the most protection

It also found that the following three of the ten foods included in the analysis offered the greatest protection against the neurodegenerative disease when consumed at least two of them daily:

  • Berries (half a portion)
  • Red wine (a small glass)
  • Tea (five servings)

These foods led to a 38 percent reduction in the risk of dementia compared to subjects who did not consume these foods. According to experts, tea and berries have been proven to support brain health. However, the effect of red wine is controversial. The World Health Organization (WHO) also generally advises against alcohol due to the associated health risks. In another study, however, the The health-promoting effect of berries and another type of fruit on the brain has been proven.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.

source site

Related Articles