logo
Eating more COPPER could help protect against dementia, say scientists – the 5 cheapest ways to get more in your diet

Eating more COPPER could help protect against dementia, say scientists – the 5 cheapest ways to get more in your diet

The Sun09-07-2025
WITH 152.8 million people estimated to have dementia by 2050, it's vital people do what they can to prevent cognitive impairment.
And eating plenty of foods from a specific food group could be part of that, say researchers.
1
Dietary choices can influence the risk of developing dementia.
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and healthy fats, like those found in a Mediterranean-style diet, is generally associated with a reduced dementia risk.
While diets high in processed foods and certain types of meat may increase a person's likelihood of developing the disease.
But now a new study has suggested specifically boosting copper in the diet could support sharper thinking in later life.
Copper is vital for several physiological functions within the human body.
It's essential for energy production, connective tissue formation, and maintaining healthy blood vessels, nerves, and the immune system.
But until now, the relationship between cognition and copper remains poorly understood.
The study published in Scientific Reports involved 2,420 participants with a mean age of 69.3 years and a BMI of 29.2.
Dietary copper intake was positively associated with cognitive test scores.
And test scores increased with an increase in copper intake.
Signs of dementia that might be missed
These associations remained significant after adjusting for various covariates, such as age, gender, race-ethnicity, smoking status, alcohol status, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease history.
Copper's potential brain benefits may stem from its role in making acetylcholine - a key neurotransmitter for learning and memory.
However, the researchers noted further analyses would need to be carried out to corroborate these findings.
Find out the most affordable sources of dietary copper below...
Cheapest sources of dietary copper
Legumes - lentils, chickpeas, adzuki beans, baked beans, and kidney beans
Dark leafy greens - spinach, kale, and Swiss chard
Potatoes and sweet potatoes
Whole grains - quinoa, oats, whole wheat spaghetti, wholemeal bread, and brown basmati rice
Nuts and seeds- almonds, cashews, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds
Other dietary sources of copper:
Shellfish
Organ meats
Dark chocolate
Adults aged 19 to 64 need 1.2mg of copper a day.
You should be able to get all the copper you need from your daily diet.
Other studies have suggested more potential benefits of copper, like improved cardiovascular health and bone density.
Copper is involved in the function of enzymes that help reduce oxidative stress, which can contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Some studies suggest higher dietary copper intake may be associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease.
But other studies have found mixed results.
And a 2015 study found post- menopausal women with low bone density had low copper levels, and that copper supplementation might be beneficial.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

RFK Jr. looks to boot panel that decided which HIV and cancer screenings would be free: report
RFK Jr. looks to boot panel that decided which HIV and cancer screenings would be free: report

The Independent

time18 minutes ago

  • The Independent

RFK Jr. looks to boot panel that decided which HIV and cancer screenings would be free: report

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly planning to remove all the members of an influential health task force that helps determine what preventative care services insurers must cover for free, after removing all members of a vaccine advisory board last month. Kennedy wants to clean house at U.S. Preventative Services Task Force next because he believes its 16 members have become too 'woke,' The Wall Street Journal reports. Under 2010's Affordable Care Act, the task force makes evidence-based, public recommendations on a variety of treatments, ranging HIV prevention to prenatal care to mental health, that insurers must cover at no cost to patients. Health and Human Services has said the secretary hasn't made a final decision regarding the task force. The Independent has contacted the agency for comment. Kennedy's reported dissatisfaction with the group comes after the American Conservative magazine accused the task force of being a 'festering corner of woke bureaucracy' in an article earlier this month. 'The task force is packed with Biden administration appointees devoted to the ideological capture of medicine,' the author argued, pointing to 'sinister' recent task force actions committing to removing racial inequities in health care and using more inclusive language around gender. Earlier this month, a July meeting of the task force was postponed. At the time, a letter from over 100 health organizations warned about the politicization of the task force's work. 'The loss of trustworthiness in the rigorous and nonpartisan work of the Task Force would devastate patients, hospital systems, and payers as misinformation creates barriers to accessing lifesaving and cost effective care,' the letter reads. 'When something works well and helps inform doctors about how to take care of their patients, to postpone the task force's work just doesn't make any sense,' Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, president of the American Medical Association, told The New York Times after the meeting was postponed. 'This flies in the face of what is good for the country's health.' In June, the Supreme Court upheld the task force's ability to recommend free coverage for preventative services, in the face of a challenge from individuals and businesses objecting to the body's recommendation regarding HIV prevention medication. Concern over the fate of the task force comes after Kennedy removed all the members of a vaccine advisory board, replacing them with some members who share the secretary's vaccine skepticism.

Company involved in Coldplay KissCam drama hires Gwyneth Paltrow as spokesperson
Company involved in Coldplay KissCam drama hires Gwyneth Paltrow as spokesperson

The Independent

timean hour ago

  • The Independent

Company involved in Coldplay KissCam drama hires Gwyneth Paltrow as spokesperson

Astronomer — the company whose CEO resigned after being caught on a KissCam at a Coldplay rock concert embracing a woman who was not his wife — is trying to move on from the drama with someone who knows the band pretty well. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who was married to Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin for 13 years, announced Friday on X that she has been hired by Astronomer as a spokesperson. Astronomer, a tech company based in New York, found itself in an uncomfortable spotlight when two of its executives were caught on camera in an intimate embrace at a Coldplay concert — a moment that was then flashed on a giant screen in the stadium. CEO Andy Byron and human resource executive Kristin Cabot were caught by surprise when Martin asked the cameras to scan the crowd during a concert earlier this month. 'Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy,' Martin joked when the couple appeared on screen and quickly tried to hide their faces. In a short video, the 'Shakespeare in Love' and 'Ironman' star said she had been hired as a 'very temporary' spokesperson for Astronomer. 'Astronomer has gotten a lot of questions over the last few days and they wanted me to answer the most common ones,' Paltrow said, smiling and deftly avoiding mention of the KissCam fuss. 'We've been thrilled that so many people have a newfound interest in data workflow automation,' she said. 'We will now be returning to what we do best — delivering game-changing results for our customers.' When footage from the KissCam first spread online, it wasn't immediately clear who the couple were. Soon after the company identified the pair, and Byron resigned followed by Cabot. The video clip resulted in a steady stream of memes, parody videos and screenshots of the pair's shocked faces filling social media feeds. Online streams of Coldplay's songs jumped 20% in the days after the video went viral, according to Luminate, an industry data and analytics company.

Ben Askren reveals devastating impact of double lung transplant in heartbreaking new health update
Ben Askren reveals devastating impact of double lung transplant in heartbreaking new health update

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Ben Askren reveals devastating impact of double lung transplant in heartbreaking new health update

Ben Askren has revealed the incredible toll his health episode has taken on him in a new social media post on Saturday. UFC cult hero Askren, regarded as one of the world's top lightweight fighters during the peak of his career, has been the subject of widespread concern among the MMA community after being hospitalised with pneumonia. Askren, 41, required a double lung transplant to save his life and returned home from hospital this week. He has been told by doctors that he s fully capable of living a lengthy, healthy life. But for now, the American former wrestler has a long journey to a full recovery, revealing on Instagram that he struggles to lift a five-pound dumbbell, such is his lack of strength post health crisis. 'I've been home for four days now,' he began. 'It's awesome. I get to sleep in my own bed, eat my own food, hang out with my family, it's great. 'That being said, I've still got so many physical challenges to deal with. I'm still down abot 35 pounds from where I should be. I can't walk. This five-pound weight, it's actually hard for me to curl. 'Right before I had to go to the hospital I was feeling strong, I was able to curl 45 pounds. I was out doing hill sprints.' However, Askren, who struggled to speak at certain points of video and had to catch his breath, is determined to improve his condition. 'I am where I am now,' he said. 'But I know I'll be somewhere different in a month.' Askren previously revealed that he had died four times before his life-saving transplant. 'So, I only died four times. The ticker stopped for about 20 seconds,' he said. 'But, I got the double lung transplant and made it out to the other side of it. I was actually 147lbs. I haven't been 147lbs since 15-years-old. 'The thing that was most impactful to me was the love I felt from everybody. It was almost like I got to have my own funeral. 'The outpouring of love from the wrestling community was just amazing. It felt so good. So I'm more motivated than ever to get back and do what I can to help out. 'I love you guys and I appreciate you guys. This has been tough. Not only on me but on my whole family and community. 'I hope you guys appreciate the update and sometime down the road maybe Amy and I can detail everything a little more'. More to follow. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ben Askren (@benaskren)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store