Thursday, 13 February 2020

Now There is Even More Reason to Eat Your Fruit & Veg!

Senior home caregivers and relatives, pay attention! New research has discovered a link between eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's as you age. Scientists believe that this is due to the high flavonol content of these foods. Flavonol is an antioxidant and a phytochemical which is found in the natural pigment of plants. It has been known to be beneficial to human health for a very long time, but only recently has it been linked directly to Alzheimer's.

Along with fruits and vegetables, flavonol can also be found abundantly in tea. 

The study 

The study in question focused on more than 900 individuals, all in their late 70s and 80s who had not been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's. Every year, the participants would fill in a questionnaire asking various questions about their dietary habits, their education, how often they exercised, and how often they took part in mentally engaging activities, such as playing chess, completing crossword puzzles, or reading.

The study spanned six years, and every year each participant was tested to see whether or not they had developed Alzheimer's. A total of 220 individuals developed the condition within the duration of the study.

The research demonstrated that the people who consumed the highest amount of flavonols were 48 percent less likely to later develop Alzheimer’s than the people who consumed substantially less. This finding was calculated after adjusting for genetic predisposition and demographic and lifestyle factors to allow for a more accurate result.

“More research is needed to confirm these results, but these are promising findings,” said study author Thomas M. Holland, M.D., of Rush University in Chicago. “With the elderly population increasing worldwide, any decrease in the number of people with this devastating disease, or even delaying it for a few years, could have an enormous benefit on public health,” he added. 

Where to find flavonol

If you would like to up your intake of flavonol, you can find it in pears, olive oil, wine, tomatoes, kale, beans, tea, spinach, broccoli, oranges, and apples. Who needs more of an excuse to eat more greens? Even if they don’t reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, they are endlessly good for you in countless other ways too!

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