Fruits, Vegetables, and Cognitive Performance

The Journal of Alzheimers Disease recently issued the following news release:

High Fruit And Vegetable Intake Linked To Antioxidant Status And Cognitive Performance In Healthy Subjects

Researchers at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I of the Heinrich-Heine University, Dusseldorf, Germany, investigated the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake, plasma antioxidant micronutrient status and cognitive performance in healthy subjects aged 45 to 102 years.

Their results, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, indicated higher cognitive performance in individuals with high daily intake of fruits and vegetables.

Subjects with a high daily intake (about 400 g) of fruits and vegetables had higher antioxidant levels, lower indicators of free radical-induced damage against lipids as well as better cognitive performance compared to healthy subjects of any age consuming low amounts (< 100 g/day) of fruits and vegetables.
"Modification of nutritional habits aimed at increasing intake of fruits and vegetables, therefore, should be encouraged to lower the prevalence of cognitive impairment."

The work was performed in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Department of Geriatrics at Perugia University, Italy, and the
Department of Neurology of the St. Elisabeth Hospital in Cologne, Germany.

Dr. M. Cristina Polidori, currently at the Department of Geriatrics, Marienhospital Herne, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Germany, explains: "It is known that there is a strong association between fruit and vegetable intake and the natural antioxidant defenses of the body against free radicals. It is also known that bad nutritional habits increase the risk of developing cognitive impairment with and without dementia. With this work we show a multiple link between fruit and vegetable intake,
antioxidant defenses and cognitive performance, in the absence of disease and independent of age. Among other lifestyle habits, it is recommended to improve nutrition in general and fruit and vegetable
intake in particular at any age, beginning as early as possible. This may increase our chances to remain free of dementia in advanced age."

These findings are independent of age, gender, body mass index, level of education, lipid profile and albumin levels, all factors able to influence cognitive and antioxidant status.

(Journal reference: Polidori MC, Pratico D, Mangialasche F, Mariani E, Aust O, Anlasik T, Mang N, Pientka L, Stahl W, Sies H, Nelles G. High fruit and vegetable intake is positively correlated with antioxidant status and cognitive performance in healthy subjects. J Alzheimers Dis, 17:4)

Comments

[nicola]

can i ask what if my particular problem at the moment is binge eating on fruit and veg as chronic fear of constipation..i have history of anorexia, bulimia, and overexercise and now i seclude self eating huge quantities of fruit and veg daily...this then leads to chronic digestive discomfort, ibs and yet im afraid to stop im using healthy food in an unhealthy way...it the behaviour fear and control that bothers me most..thamks

[oakley outlet]

^@^it was indeed delicious! I'll confess, I made a few adaptations... wanting to use what was in the fridge... I used fresh dug parsnips and carrots instead of the recommended peppers,^*^

[MBT Sandals]

It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.