A new study this time proves its protective benefits on the brains of seniors.
What if a simple breakfast food could help preserve the brain as we age? Published in The Journal of Nutrition, this research revives scientific interest in this particular food. According to their work, people aged over 65 who consume it regularly have a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
For scientists, several nutrients present in this food could explain this result. First in line: choline. This nutrient plays a key role in the production of acetylcholine, a molecule essential for memory and communication between neurons. However, the latter is particularly affected in patients with Alzheimer’s. The food also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants already associated with better cognitive performance and a reduction in oxidative stress in the brain. Without forgetting its omega-3 and phospholipids, important for the functioning of nerve cells.
In their study, researchers at Loma Linda University Health in California followed nearly 40,000 participants for more than 15 years. Result: seniors who ate at least one egg a day five times a week or more had up to 27% less risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who never ate eggs. Even more moderate consumption seemed associated with a benefit: “Consumption two to four times per week was associated with a risk reduction of approximately 20%. Honey at breakfast has also recently shown benefits on Alzheimer’s mechanisms.
However, researchers urge caution. This study shows a link between egg consumption and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s, but it does not prove that eggs directly protect against the disease. Especially since the participants studied overall had a healthier diet than the average. Specialists also point out that no miracle food alone can prevent Alzheimer’s, even cheese.
To preserve cognitive functions after age 65, it remains essential to eat a balanced diet, practice regular physical activity, maintain social connections and stimulate your brain on a daily basis. For breakfast, eggs also have the advantage of being rich in protein, a particularly important nutrient after the age of 65 to preserve muscle mass and avoid malnutrition, common among older people. But one thing is certain: long criticized because of its cholesterol content, the egg is gradually regaining its place in a balanced and health-promoting diet.
