FUTURE- PROOF YOUR BRAIN
While we applaud followers of the five-a- day rule, a single serving of green veg may be enough to age-proof your brain
Maintaining your wits needn’t be a grind. One simple ingredient could stave off dementia
We know what you’re thinking: it’s hard to get excited about yet more science linking leafy vegetables to good health. But new research suggests you don’t have to chase your morning green juice with broccoli at lunch, kale at dinner and a wheatgrass nightcap: a single portion per day may be enough to reduce your risk of degenerative neurological conditions. With dementia cases in the UK expected to exceed a million by 2025, the knowledge that just one side order of spinach can help to slow your rate of cognitive decline by 50% is most welcome.
The study, published in Neurology, found that older people who had a daily serving of leafy greens over five years had a significant edge over peers in memory and thinking tests. The difference in cognitive ability compared to zealous veg dodgers equated to a brain aged 11 years younger. The effects were attributed to the combination of anti-ageing nutrients found in leafy ingredients, particularly vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin K1, lutein and beta- carotene. Scientists believe that together they protect the brain against inflammation, disrupting the accumulation of toxic proteins and limiting damage to neurons.
While for most MH men this will be cause to add an extra portion to your already verdant diet, for those with an aversion to greens we suggest making your one a day truly count – steam rather than boil and 50% more of the potent nutrient combination can be absorbed by your body. Then you can get back to your burger.