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Deficiency Of Flavanol, Found In Certain Fruits, Vegetables, A Driver Of Aging Memory Loss

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By PremPublished 10 months ago 4 min read
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Flavanol Deficiency: A Potential Driver of Age-Related Memory Loss Found in Select Fruits and Vegetables

Discover how the deficiency of flavanol, a compound abundant in specific fruits and vegetables, may contribute to memory decline associated with aging. Explore the impact of flavanol deficiency on cognitive health and learn about the potential benefits of consuming foods rich in flavanols to support memory function.

Are you tired of misplacing your car keys or forgetting your neighbor's name? Don't worry; it happens to the best of us. As we age, our memory can sometimes play tricks on us, leaving us scrambling to remember even the simplest of things. But what if I told you that the key to maintaining a sharp memory could be found in your favorite fruits and vegetables? Yes, you heard that right! The deficiency of a compound called flavanol, found in certain fruits and vegetables, might just be the culprit behind our aging memory loss.

Now, before you start frantically searching for flavanols in your kitchen pantry, let's take a moment to understand what exactly they are. Flavanols are a type of natural plant compound known as flavonoids, which are widely distributed in various fruits and vegetables. These remarkable compounds not only give these foods their vibrant colors but also possess powerful antioxidant properties. Antioxidants, as we all know, are like the superheroes of our body, combating the damaging effects of free radicals and protecting our cells from oxidative stress.

But what does all this have to do with our memory? Well, recent research suggests that flavanols play a vital role in supporting cognitive health, particularly in terms of memory function. So, if our diet lacks these memory-boosting flavanols, it's no wonder our memory might not be performing at its best. But fret not! By incorporating certain fruits and vegetables rich in flavanols into our daily meals, we can potentially improve our memory and keep those forgetful moments at bay.

So, get ready to discover a whole new world of flavanol-rich foods that can tantalize your taste buds and supercharge your memory! In this article, we will delve into the impact of flavanol deficiency on aging memory loss, explore the flavanol-rich fruits and vegetables you should include in your diet, and uncover some exciting lifestyle habits that can help maintain your flavanol levels and support a healthy memory. Get ready to boost your brainpower and laugh off those memory lapses, as we embark on this flavorful journey to unlock the secrets of flavanols!

Deficiency Of Flavanol, Found In Certain Fruits, Vegetables, A Driver Of Aging Memory Loss

The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), found that flavanol intake among older adults tracked with scores on tests designed to detect memory loss due to normal aging.

New Delhi: A diet low in flavanols, or nutrients found in certain fruits and vegetables, was found to drive memory loss that came with aging, according to a new research. The research, led by Columbia University and Brigham and Women's Hospital, US, said that it supported the emerging idea that that the aging brain required specific nutrients for optimal health, just as the developing brain required specific nutrients for proper development.

"The improvement among study participants with low-flavanol diets was substantial and raises the possibility of using flavanol-rich diets or supplements to improve cognitive function in older adults," said Adam Brickman, professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University and co- leader of the study.

Previous studies in Small's lab linked age-related memory loss to changes in the dentate gyrus, a specific area within the brain's hippocampus- vital for memory - and showed that flavanols improved function in this brain region.

Additional research, in mice, found that a particular bioactive substance in flavanols called epicatechin improved memory by enhancing the growth of neurons and blood vessels in the hippocampus.

Further, testing flavanol supplements in people, the researchers confirmed that the dentate gyrus was linked to cognitive aging and that flavanols improved memory by acting selectively on this brain region. Those starting out with a poor-quality diet saw the most impact.

For this study, more than 3,500 healthy older adults, most non-Hispanic and white, were randomly assigned to receive a daily flavanol supplement pill or a placebo pill for three years. The active supplement contained 500 milligrams (mg) of flavanols, including 80 mg epicatechins, an amount that adults are advised to get from food.

At the beginning of the study, all participants completed a survey assessing the quality of their diet, including flavanol-containing foods. Participants' short-term memory governed by the hippocampus was then assessed through web-based activities performed at home.

The tests were repeated after years one, two, and three. At the end of the first year of taking the flavanol supplement, participants reporting a poorer diet consumption and lower baseline levels of flavanols saw their memory scores increase by an average of 10.5 per cent compared to placebo and 16 per cent compared to their memory at baseline. Annual cognitive testing showed the improvement observed at one year was sustained for at least two more years.

The results, the researchers said, strongly suggested that flavanol deficiency is a driver of age-related memory loss because flavanol consumption correlated with memory scores and flavanol supplements improved memory in flavanol-deficient adults.

Further, the study also found that flavanols only improved memory processes governed by the hippocampus and did not improve memory mediated by other areas of the brain.

However, the researchers found that flavanol supplements had no effect on people who did not have a flavanol deficiency.

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