Tag : Antioxidant

Minneapolis: According to a study, people who consume more foods high in the antioxidant flavonols, which are present in many fruits and vegetables as well as tea and wine, may experience a slower rate of memory deterioration. The findings were published in the online edition of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. "It's exciting that our study shows making specific diet choices may lead to a slower rate of cognitive decline," said study author Thomas M. Holland, MD, MS of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. "Something as simple as eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking more tea is an easy way for people to take an active role in maintaining their brain health." Flavonols are a type of flavonoid, a group of phytochemicals found in plant pigments known for its beneficial effects on health. The study involved 961 people with an average age of 81 without dementia. They filled out a questionnaire each year on how often they ate certain foods. They also completed annual cognitive and memory tests including recalling lists of words, remembering numbers and putting them in the correct order. They were also asked about other factors, such as their level of education, how much time they spent doing physical activities and how much time they spent doing mentally engaging activities such as reading and playing games. They were followed for an average of seven years. The people were divided into five equal groups based on the amount of flavonols they had in their diet. While the average amount of flavonol intake in US adults is about 16 to 20 milligrams (mg) per day, the study population had an average dietary intake of total flavonols of approximately 10 mg per day. The lowest group had an intak ...