Health Update: Vegetables Save Your Brain

Hello again:

Here is some great news on what you can do to save your memory, brain, and overall health by simply eating foods that are high in flavenols. Say what?

“Flavonols are a type of flavonoid, a group of phytochemicals found in plant pigments. Earlier research has shown that high flavonol intake was tied to lower risk of Alzheimer’s dementia.

 Higher dietary intake of total flavonols and individual flavonol constituents was linked with slower cognitive and memory decline in older adults, a longitudinal study showed.

Slower declines in episodic, semantic, and working memory also were tied to overall flavonol intake. Associations were independent of cardiovascular conditions and lifestyle factors, 

The anti-inflammatory features of flavonols may decrease the amplitude or duration of neuroinflammation, Holland and co-authors suggested. In addition, the antioxidant characteristics of flavanols may prevent or reduce oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species and free radicals, they noted.” 

https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/dementia/101921?xid=nl_mpt_Neurology_update_2022-11-25&eun=g1207968d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Automated%20Specialty%20Update%20Neurology%20BiWeekly%20FRIDAY%202022-11-25&utm_term=NL_Spec_Neurology_Update_Active

Bottom Line:

So how do we do that?

“The findings suggest specific diet choices may lead to a slower rate of cognitive decline”, Holland observed. “Something as simple as eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking more tea is an easy way for people to take an active role in maintaining their brain health,” he said in a statement.”

Here are two links with lists of foods that have high levels of flavenols plus more detailed information about why they are so incredibly good for us:

https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-flavonoids#2

https://www.yourhealthremedy.com/nutrients/flavonoid-foods-list/