Chinese takeaways could help fight dementia, study shows

CHINESE takeaways could help fight dementia, a study shows.

Sufferers who ate daily amounts of monosodium glutamate — a key ingredient in popular Chinese dishes such as chicken chow mein — saw their memory improve.

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They recalled more words in tests and found it easier to tell the time.

Scientists are not sure why the ingredient boosts memory.

But one theory is it improves absorption of zinc — which may help repair damaged brain cells.

Dementia affects 850,000 Brits and no drugs can cure or halt the disease.

MSG, a type of salt that enhances flavour, has been used in oriental cooking for a century. It has fallen out of favour in Britain in recent years after health concerns.

But scientists from Japan’s Tottori University wanted to check its effect on dementia after experiments on rats suggested it raised brain function.

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They tested 200 people and found improvements in those eating MSG compared to those who did not.

Their report said: “It seems MSG may activate the hi­ppo­campus and improve memory.”

Brit docs have urged caution, saying a “healthy diet” can cut dementia risk.

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