Your daily diet might hold the key to keeping your brain sharp and reducing the risk of dementia.
A recent study conducted by Columbia University in New York has shown that foods rich in flavonoids—chemical compounds found in fruits and vegetables like apples and berries—can have a preventive effect against mental decline.
This is reported by the German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau.
The Role of Flavonoids in Brain Health
Flavonoids are small but powerful compounds that not only give fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors but may also help protect the brain from dementia.
According to the study, published in the journal PNAS, researchers investigated the potential brain-boosting benefits of flavonoids in a group of 3,600 healthy seniors in their 70s over a period of three years.
Participants were divided into two groups: one group received a daily dose of 500 milligrams of flavanols, a specific type of flavonoid found in cocoa, while the other group took a placebo.
The results revealed that those with a diet already rich in flavonoids experienced slower mental decline, while those with low flavonoid intake benefited significantly from the supplement.
Foods That Could Help Fight Dementia
This research suggests that incorporating more flavonoid-rich foods into your diet—such as apples, berries, and other colorful fruits and vegetables—might help keep your mind sharp as you age.
Professor Bernhard Watzl from the German Nutrition Society praised the findings, calling flavonoids "promising in the fight against dementia."
However, he also advised caution, noting, "No one knows if there is a critical window of time. It is possible that the crucial decisions about what you eat are made when you are 20 or 40 years old."
While the long-term impact of flavonoids is still being studied, it's clear that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is beneficial for brain health.
