Life

The GP's View: A simple tip for warding off dementia

Olive oil is a good source of flavenols...
Olive oil is a good source of flavenols... Olive oil is a good source of flavenols...

FROM cancer to Covid-19, it is clear, now more than ever, that our dietary choices matter in terms of their impact on our health.

A constant theme in all advice is that we should manage our weight to extend our lives and reduce our risk of illness. Most people, however, struggle to apply the advice to their day-to-day lives. Doctors, equally, find it difficult to persuade people to alter their habits permanently.

Perhaps the answer lies in turning small changes into positive habits. A good start might be to try to include a food containing flavonols in every meal and snack (rich sources include olive oil, apples, spinach, beans, oranges and tomatoes).

A study, published in the journal Neurology, has concluded that a higher intake of flavonols – components of many fruits, vegetables and tea – may be associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia.

Flavonols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and animal studies have shown they reduce oxidative stress (a ‘rusting’ effect that speeds up cell ageing) in the hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in learning and memory.

Surveys show people fear Alzheimer’s more than cancer. Given this anxiety about the looming dark wall of brain disease, what more do we need to know – and say – about the benefits of healthy eating?

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