An international team reviewed 27 studies to assess the impact of this food on the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s.
The fear of seeing your brain grow too fast and your memory decline touches everyone. Neurology aging exposes the risk of dementia, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s disease. It is characterized by a progressive cognitive decline and a degeneration of neurons and causes memory losses, landmarks in space, difficulties in carrying out daily gestures … Despite years of research, no treatment makes it possible to stop its progression: current drugs are only aperture of certain symptoms. Faced with this observation, science explores all possible tracks. One of them could be on the breakfast table.
An international team reviewed 27 studies having assessed the impact of a specific food on the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s. Researchers were interested in its effects on oxidative stress (cell aging), brain inflammation or the accumulation of toxic proteins for the brain. They confirm that this food has many neuroprotective properties and contains compounds capable of acting on several key mechanisms of Alzheimer’s.
This anti-aging ally for the brain is honey. “This food contains a wide variety of compounds, including water, sugars, proteins, minerals, vitamins, free amino acids and phytochemical compounds”detail the researchers in the review Nutrients. Among these compounds, polyphenols and flavonoids which give it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. But not all honeys are created equal. “The botanical origin of honey significantly influences its composition and its biological activity.” In general, darker varieties such as chestnut honey, heather, forest honey and buckwheat are the richest in phenolic compounds and therefore potentially more protective for the brain.
Honey is therefore a promising natural candidate in the prevention of Alzheimer’s for researchers. Clinical trials on humans are now necessary to confirm these positive effects observed in the laboratory. In the meantime, to moderately integrate quality honey into a balanced diet remains a simple and beneficial gesture for health. It can be exercised is to put a small teaspoon on the morning toast or in a white cheese. As a reminder, favor French honey, ideally with the mention “harvested in France” (and not “conditioned in France”, which can hide an import). The IGP (protected geographical indication) logo or red label are also a guarantee of traceability.
