FOOD COMPOUNDS PROTECT MENTAL PERFORMANCE
To avoid age related mental decline, consider consuming more fruits, vegetables, coffee, tea and chocolate. It turns out that compounds common to all these foods, called flavonoids, may protect brain function even in individuals in their late 70’s.
A French study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, examined subjects averaging 77 years of age, and free of dementia. Scientists monitored them for 10 years, assessing their dietary habits with questionnaires.
Individuals in the study who had lower flavonoid intake lost more points on a test of cognitive performance than those who ate high flavonoid foods. Factors such as educational level were taken into account.
Prior studies have linked higher flavonoid intake to lower risk of death from heart disease. These compounds have also been shown to provide cancer protection, including 35% decreased breast cancer risk.
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