Cherry a day keeps Alzheimer’s away
EATING plenty of colourful foods – such as grapefruit, carrots and sweet potatoes – could slash the risk of Alzheimer’s by more than a third, according to research.
Yellow and orange fruit and vegetables are rich in nutrients called flavones, which boost the brain, say scientists.
A 20-year study of more than 77,000 older people found those who consumed most flavones were 38 per cent less likely to suffer cognitive decline.
Meanwhile, a high intake of blueberries, blackberries and cherries was associated with a 24 per cent reduction.
And an apple a day or a small
punnet of strawberries cut the risk by a fifth.They are bursting with powerful antioxidants, known collectively as flavonoids.
Lead author Dr Walter Willett, of Harvard University in the US, said: “The people who did the best over time ate an average of at least half a serving per day of foods like orange juice, oranges, peppers, celery, grapefruits, grapefruit juice, apples and pears.
“Adding colour to your plate may lower the risk of cognitive decline.”
But Dr Sara Imarisio, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, warned: “Dementia is caused by a complex mix of age, genetics and lifestyle factors.
“From this study alone we are unable to untangle diet or a specific food component from other lifestyle factors which contribute to dementia risk.”