The study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, found that a higher intake of antioxidant flavonols results in decreasing the chances of Alzheimer’s by 48 percent.
Flavonols are a type of flavonoid known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. Flavonols are most abundant in fruits and vegetables, giving them their vibrant colour. The research found that the people who consume more flavonols, whether in food or drink, had a much slower rate of memory decline.
For the research, scientists chose 961 people without dementia, aged between 60 and 100, living in senior public housing and retirement communities. The team of scientists followed the health and lifestyle of these people for seven years. Their diets, medications, etc., were closely followed by the researchers. The researchers also followed the lifestyles, education as well as physical activities of the participants. The participants were assessed yearly for their cognitive skills, which included 19 standardised tests.
The study found that flavonol consumption by the average US citizen was about 16 to 20 mg. However, the flavonol consumption of the participants was fixed at 5 to 15 mg, with an average of 10 mg. The research found that the participants with higher flavonol consumption had a slower decline in many cognitive performances, such as global cognition, working memory, perceptual speed, semantic memory, and episodic memory.
Dr. Thomas H Holland, Rush University Medical Centre Chicago, the director of the study, said that it is very exciting to see that making specific diet choices may lead to lowering the rate of cognitive decline. He said that something as simple as drinking more tea and eating more fruits and vegetables is an easy way for people to maintain the health of their brains.
The test results showed consistency even after considering factors such as age, sex, physical activities, and smoking. However, the study is met with some criticism too. The critics say the study largely included mostly well-educated, city-dwelling white participants, so it is not sure if the results will be the same for other groups.
FAQs:
- Which fruit is high in flavonoids?
Berries - Which vegetable is high in flavonoids?
Red Cabbage has a high number of flavonoids.
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