This common vegetable could be the secret weapon against dementia
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that eating a diet rich in copper can help the body stave off dementia. Moreover, people who added copper to their daily diet experienced better cognitive function than those who ate relatively low levels.
Researchers from the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, China, found that 1.22mg of copper per day, approximately two medium sized potatoes, significantly boosted brain health and helped ward off disease.
Speaking of the findings, lead author Professor Weiai Jia urged those who have a history of stroke in particular to add copper to their daily diet, which can be in the form of potatoes, or other foods naturally packed with it, like wholegrains and beans.
'Dietary copper is crucial for brain health', he said.
This is because copper triggers the release of iron which helps carry oxygen around the body and protects the brain against cognitive decline.
The essential nutrient is also thought to be important for infant growth, brain development, the immune system and bone health.
Adults aged 19 to 64 should try to consume 1.2mg of copper a day.
The scientists believe that copper-rich foods may help regulate the release of neurotransmitters in the brain that are closely related to learning and memory.
The team said that the links between dietary copper intake and cognitive function are complex, but highlighted energy metabolism and neurotransmission as potential reasons why copper can help protect brain function.
It is thought that a lack of copper may accelerate the cognitive collapse that is associated with dementia, such as memory loss, language difficulties and problems with thinking and reasoning.
In the longitudinal study, using data from the National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, 2420 American adults were analyzed to see how dietary copper intake affected cognitive function, especially in participants with a history of stroke.
According to the American Heart Association, having a stroke may triple someone's risk for developing dementia within the following year.
Participants' were tracked for for four years and dietary copper intake was determined by averaging two 24 hour dietary recalls. Cognitive function was also assessed by a range of golden metrics.
Researchers concluded that those who consumed the most copper had the highest cognitive scores, after accounting for various confounding factors such as age, sex, alcohol intake and heart disease.
The researchers concluded: 'Our findings indicate a potential association between dietary copper intake and enhanced cognitive function in American older adults, particularly among those with a history of stroke.'
However, the researchers noted that further research is needed to confirm these findings, with a major drawback of the study being that they used self-reported dietary reviews.
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