One portion of green veg a day can help the elderly fight off Alzheimer’s, study claims
Research also said not smoking, staying mentally and physically active, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol in check and moderate boozing are 'all good for brain health'
EATING plenty of green vegetables keeps elderly people’s brains up to 11 years younger, a study claims.
Researchers followed 960 healthy pensioners with an average age of 81 over five years.
They found those who had at least one portion a day of spinach, kale and lettuce had better mental capacity than those who never or rarely ate them.
In thinking skills and memory tests, their brains were the equivalent of 11 years younger, US researchers found.
Experts believe naturally-occurring compounds in food rich in vitamin K slow mental decline.
Martha Clare Morris, of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, said: “A daily serving of green, leafy veg may be a simple way to foster brain health.”
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She said “effective strategies to prevent dementia are critical” as the population ages. Some 850,000 Brits have the condition.
That is due to rise to around two million in the next three decades.
Dr Sara Imarisio of Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “This adds to evidence of a link between a diet rich in veg and healthy brain.”
She said keeping active and blood pressure in check are also beneficial.