According to a new study published in the journal, protecting the brain with aging means confirming that the intestines are healthy, a plant-based food rich in substances called polyphenols and beneficial metabolites. May benefit both Molecular nutrition and food research..
Researchers have examined nearly 850 people over the age of 65 living in two different parts of France. Participants regularly underwent five neuropsychological tests to detect signs of cognitive decline, in addition to following their diet for 12 years. (Related: 100 of the most unhealthy foods on the planet).
Participants who ate foods high in polyphenols and those who contained certain metabolites had a significantly reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia with age. These include:
- Apple
- blueberry
- cocoa
- coffee
- Green Tea
- mushroom
- Orange
- pomegranate
- Red wine
“The point from this study is that increasing intake of fruits, vegetables, and other vegetable foods leads to polyphenols and other bioactive compounds that help reduce the risk of cognitive decline associated with aging. That’s what research leader Dr. Christina Andre Laqueva said. .D. , From the Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Barcelona, Spain.
Not only do these foods appear to be protective in their own right, she adds, they may also work together to improve brain health. This is especially true when pushing out unhealthy dietary choices such as artificial sweeteners. This has been shown to adversely affect cognitive impairment in studies.
Related: Peanut butter has this great impact on your brain health, new research says
According to Andrés-Lacueva, one of the most important aspects of this type of diet is how to improve beneficial bacteria in the gut. The gut is sometimes referred to as the “second brain” because the relationship between brain function and gut health is so strong. Chemical signals are constantly transmitted between the brain and the digestive system, and these signals also affect other aspects of the body, such as the immune response and hormonal regulation.
This brain-intestinal correlation not only plays a major role in cognitive protection, but can also be a key to emotional health, says author Dr. Lisa Mosconi. Brain Food: The Amazing Science of Eating for Cognition..
“When one is thrown away, the other is often affected, and sometimes very dramatically,” she says. “Of all the organs in our body, the brain is the most easily damaged by a poor diet.”
Plant-based foods highlighted in recent studies can keep this link strong, and Mosconi says the addition of fiber and probiotics can also support brain function and gut health. increase— —Especially as you get older.
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