This nutrient keeps the brain young

Increasing your intake of lutein, a carotenoid found in broccoli, Brussels sprouts and leafy greens, may protect against cognitive decline, say scientists at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. In their study, older people who had the highest blood levels of lutein scored better on tests of “crystallized intelligence” (the ability to use skills and knowledge acquired over a lifetime) than those with low levels. The authors say lutein builds up in the brain, where it likely dampens inflammation and enhances cell-to-cell signaling.