Have you ever forgotten the name of a famous actor or struggled to remember details of a movie? A new study reveals that including certain foods in your diet, such as red wine and cherries, can help combat even simple memory lapses like these.
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Benefits of flavonoids for memory and essential nutrients for the brain
Researchers at the University of Reading, in England, found that people with diets rich in flavonoids, compounds bioactives found in specific foods, experienced significant improvements in memory after three years of supplementation.
Flavonoids help fight oxidative stress in the body by eliminating free radicals that cause this negative effect. In turn, oxidation can affect brain structures, compromising cognitive aspects such as memory, for example.
These results are encouraging, since these substances can be found on a large scale, as stated by Professor Gunter Kuhnle, who teaches Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Reading.
Red wine, black and green tea, dark chocolate, beans, cabbage, watercress, onions and fruits such as cherries, blackberries, black grapes and apples are some examples of foods rich in flavonoids, according to the specialist.
According with the doctor. Scott Small, co-author of the study, other substances present in these foods can also strengthen the brain, in addition to flavonoids.
The study, which relies on biomarkers of flavonoid consumption, could serve as a model for other researchers to identify additional nutrients needed.
Controversies over the effects of flavonoids and the importance of further research
Not all scientists are convinced of the benefits of flavonoids in relation to memory. As an example, some experts point out that the results of the University of Reading study do not support this claim.
These other scientists caution that the study focuses on short-term memory and does not provide much information about the risks of dementia and diseases such as memory. Alzheimer's.
The research involved more than 3,562 older adults who took flavonoid supplements or a placebo for three years. Their memory was tested annually.
For those who already had a diet rich in flavonoids, there were no big improvements in memory, even with the supplements. However, those with low initial consumption of flavonoids experienced a 16% increase in memory after just one year of supplementation.
Experts underscore the need for additional research on the nutrients needed to maintain a healthy brain in old age, and highlight the distinction between age-related memory loss and dementia.
While flavonoids may indeed play a role in maintaining or improving brain health, Supplement effects on memory appear to be modest and limited to individuals on a low-quality diet initially.
In any case, including foods rich in flavonoids can help improve memory, especially for those with low consumption of these nutrients.