A new study shows that one food is a powerful weapon against the mental deterioration that comes with getting older.
A team of researchers from the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and Tufts University in Boston followed the eating habits of 960 adults for up to four years. The subjects ranged in age from 58 to 99.[1]
The participants completed diet questionnaires, which asked them how often they ate certain foods. They also took tests to gauge their memory strength and other mental skills.
The researchers found that people who reported eating one to two daily servings of green leafy vegetables had far less cognitive decline.
They had brains that functioned as if they were 11 years younger than people who did not eat greens as often.[2]
Greens Are Brain Food
Dr. Martha Clare Morris is a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Rush University Medical Center. She was lead author of the study.
Dr. Morris said leafy greens provide high levels of nutrients that are crucial to mental function. They give you high doses of vitamin K, folate, and lutein. These three nutrients protect against inflammation and stress, which damage the brain over time, she said.
“You can’t really go wrong by adding leafy greens to your diet,” Dr. Morris said “There aren’t any drawbacks.” Her study was published in the journal Neurology.
She advises eating greens with some kind fat, such as an oil-based dressing. This helps your body better absorb the brain-protecting nutrients.
Top 5 Brain-Healthy Greens
Leafy greens not only help your brain ward off aging, they can lower your risk of cancer and diabetes. And they help protect you from heart disease.[3]
Which greens give you the most health benefits?
Researchers at William Paterson University in New Jersey scored them on a scale of 0 to 100 according their essential nutrient content and bioavailability.
Here are their top five:
1.) Watercress: It scored a perfect 100. Watercress contains high doses of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as lutein. It’s one of the oldest leafy greens in the human diet. Legend has it that Hippocrates built his first hospital near a watercress-producing stream to have access to it.
Research suggests eating it may help prevent cancer, lower triglycerides, and reduce DNA damage to white blood cells.
2.) Chinese cabbage: This includes Napa cabbage and bok choy. No matter which variety you eat, you’re getting more nutrition per bite than nearly any other food. Chinese cabbage scored a 92.
It contains high levels of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, fiber, and selenium.
3.) Chard: Chard scored an 89. That’s because it’s full of vitamins A, C, and K. It’ll also give you a good dose of magnesium, copper, and manganese. All three minerals are important for brain function.
4.) Beet greens: Beet greens scored an 87. They are high in fiber, and vitamins A, B6, C, and K. They’re also a good source of bioavailable iron and calcium.
5.) Spinach: This popular green scored an 86. Spinach is rich in vitamins A and C. It’s also a great source of magnesium.
If you aren’t eating any of these nutrient-rich greens, it’s time to start. They can help your brain turn back time.
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[1] http://abcnews.go.com/Health/eat-vegetables-nutrients-leafy-greens-prevent-dementia/story?id=51904727
[2] http://abcnews.go.com/Health/eat-vegetables-nutrients-leafy-greens-prevent-dementia/story?id=51904727
[3] https://www.institutefornaturalhealing.com/2014/07/the-five-most-nutrient-dense-greens/