Healthy living
Healthy eating
Greens good for the grey matter
Eating vegetables helps your brain stay sharp
Older people who eat plenty of vegetables in their diet are likely to stay mentally sharper as they age, according to new research published in the journal, American Academy of Neurology.
Surprisingly, the findings also showed that eating lots of fruit makes little difference to age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago studied the eating habits of 3718 people over the age of 65. Over a six-year period, the participants were asked to complete a food questionnaire and also take two cognitive tests.
The results showed that those people who ate less than one serving of vegetables each day had a much more rapid decline in brain power than those who ate at least 2.8 portions of vegetables.
The most effective brain-boosting vegetables were leafy greens, which include broccoli, spinach and endive. Older participants also got the greatest benefit from a vegetable-rich diet.
"It may be due to vegetables containing high amounts of vitamin E, which helps lower the risk of cognitive decline," explains study author, Martha Clare Morris.
"Vegetables, but not fruits, are also typically consumed with added fats such as salad dressings, and fats increase the absorption of vitamin E. Still, further study is required to understand why fruit is not associated with cognitive change."
The Department of Health already advises that we eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day as part of a healthy balanced diet.
How much is one portion of fruit?
One portion of fruit is, for example, one medium apple, or one medium banana, or two small satsumas or three dried apricots. A glass of 100% fruit juice only counts once a day, however much you drink.
How much is one portion of vegetables?
One portion of vegetables is, for example, three heaped tablespoonfuls of cooked carrots or peas or sweetcorn, or one cereal bowl of mixed salad.
Beans and other pulse vegetables, such as kidney beans, lentils and chick peas only count once a day, however much you eat. Potatoes don't count because they are a 'starchy' food.
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
