Fruits and Vegetables Can Slow Cognitive Decline

 
Study Summary

This study followed 961 participants (60-100 years of age) for an average of 6.9 years to examine whether flavonols, a group of phytochemicals found in plant pigments, has an effect on cognition. Participants filled out a questionnaire each year on lifestyle habits, including how often they ate certain foods. They also completed annual cognitive and memory tests including recalling lists of words, remembering numbers and putting them in the correct order. Researchers found that higher dietary intake of total flavonols and flavonol constituents were associated with a slower rate of decline in global cognition and multiple cognitive domains.

 
Study Citation

Holland, T. M., Agarwal, P., Wang, Y., Dhana, K., Leurgans, S. E., Shea, K., Booth, S. L., Rajan, K., Schneider, J. A., Barnes. L. L. (2022). Association of Dietary Intake of Flavonols With Changes in Global Cognition and Several Cognitive Abilities. Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000201541