Flavonoid-rich foods and drinks linked to dementia risk-reduction
Research led by academics from Queen’s University Belfast and published in JAMA Network Open has suggested that consuming flavonoid-rich foods and drinks could lower a person’s dementia risk by more than a quarter.
The research was a population-based cohort study where dietary data from the UK Biobank was analysed from over 120,000 adults aged between 40 and 70 years old.
Flavonoids are mostly found in plant-based foods and drinks such as berries, tea and red wine, and have a range of health benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. They have also been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, as well as improved cognitive function.
The study’s lead researcher, Prof Aedin Cassidy, says:
“Our findings show that consuming six additional servings of flavonoid-rich foods per day, in particular berries, tea and red wine, was associated with a 28% lower risk of dementia. The findings were most noticeable in individuals with a high genetic risk, as well as in those with symptoms of depression.”
You can read the study here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823676