According to American research, we can slow down the decline of our cognitive abilities in a simple way: eating eggs. In the study, a link was found between egg consumption and better semantic memory and executive functions in women. Health.com.
Previous research on the relationship between cholesterol levels and cognitive function had yielded conflicting results, so Dr. Donna Kritz Silverstein, a professor at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, began her own investigation.
To investigate the effect of eggs on cognitive function, the researchers collected data from 890 adults (357 men and 533 women) who participated in a previous observational study. All participants were older than 55 years, with an average age of 70 to 72 years.
Participants filled out questionnaires about their meals. They also performed performance tests that examined cognitive functions such as language, orientation, attention, memory, executive functions, and mental flexibility.
The researchers found that 14% of men and 16.5% of women never ate eggs. In contrast, 7% of men and about 4% of women reported eating eggs more than five times a week.
Overall, men ate more eggs than women and were more likely to eat them two to four or more than five times a week. Women were more likely to eat no eggs at all or only one to three times a month.
After taking into account lifestyle choices, medical diagnoses, protein intake, calories and cholesterol, the results showed that Women who ate more eggs had less decline in semantic memory and executive function scores..
As egg consumption increased, a woman's risk of cognitive decline decreased by 0.1 percent.
While scientists did not find a similar association in men,Egg consumption was not associated with a decline in any of the cognitive performance measures we used in either men or women, suggesting that egg consumption may play a role in maintaining cognitive function.Kritz Silverstein said.
roadblock Researchers cannot explain the observed differences between men and women.According to Kritz Silverstein, the reasons may be differences in the severity of diabetes between the sexes, education, exercise, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption.
At the same time, they also drew attention to the need for more research on the topic. The current study was based on self-reported data, and it was not revealed exactly why eggs have a positive effect on cognitive abilities.
Other foods can also help.
According to the study, eating eggs could be a good way to maintain cognitive function. Although eggs have a bad reputation for being high in cholesterol — one large egg contains about 200 milligrams of cholesterol — experts say most people can eat one or two eggs a day without harming their heart health.
On the other hand, food can also benefit cognitive functions.
“Foods rich in antioxidants like berries, spinach, and nuts help combat inflammation and oxidative stress. These can accelerate aging and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Turmeric may be particularly beneficial for memory and the growth of new brain cells.”“Nutritionist Amy Davis told the portal.
