Gaby
British researchers have identified an unexpectedly simple way to reduce the chance of dementia. The surprise: red wine. But keep it moderate.
The reason is that these foods are rich in flavonoids — plant compounds found in tea, red wine, berries, and dark chocolate — which the study linked to lower dementia risk.
Researchers say flavonoids may protect brain cells by preventing beta-amyloid plaques from building up, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
These plant compounds also have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. They are linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular conditions.
What Did the Scientists Report?
Previous studies have shown that a few pieces of chocolate with a cup of tea in the afternoon can lower the risk of dementia by more than a quarter.
For their new study, researchers from Queen’s University Belfast recognized that age and genetics play the biggest roles in the disease. This time, however, the team focused on nutrition — a factor that could play a substantial role in preventing dementia — as reported by the Daily Mail.
Over six years, the researchers analyzed dietary data from more than 120,000 adults in the UK, ages 40 to 70.
They found that eating six additional servings of flavonoid-rich foods each day was associated with a 28 percent lower risk of developing dementia. Those flavonoid-rich foods included berries, tea, and red wine.
The biggest drop in dementia risk was seen among participants who consumed at least two of the following daily in the specified amounts: five cups of tea, one glass of red wine, and at least half a serving of berries.
Professor Aedin Cassidy, the lead author of the study, noted, “The results were most pronounced in individuals with a high genetic risk and signs of depression.”
In their report, the researchers wrote that identifying flavonoid-rich foods “will help develop dietary recommendations that will be beneficial for both interventional studies and public health initiatives.”
The researchers reached these conclusions weeks after other teams identified two ways to reduce dementia risk: treating vision impairment and lowering high cholesterol. That brought the total number of strategies to 14.
Dr. Amy Jennings from the School of Biological Sciences at King’s College said, “Currently, there is no effective treatment for this disease, so preventive measures aimed at improving health and quality of life, as well as reducing social and economic costs, must remain a top priority for public health.”
More than 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, and doctors record about 10 million new cases each year.
