Pomegranate contains a substance that helps stimulate memory and restore brain activity
The link between diet and dementia is now taken for granted, and now researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the US National Institute on Aging have found that pomegranates, strawberries and walnuts can help improve memory in patients with Alzheimer’s.
These foods contain a substance called urolithin A, a compound produced by gut bacteria.
“Our research on mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease shows that urolithin A, which occurs naturally in pomegranate, can reduce memory problems and other consequences of dementia,” said Wilhelm Bohr, associate professor at the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Copenhagen.
In patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, the brain has difficulty removing weak mitochondria, which accumulate and impair brain function.
Researchers have found that Utolithin A removes weak mitochondria from the brain, thereby restoring cognitive function.
The results of the study were published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
However, researchers aren’t sure how much of this substance is needed to have a positive effect.
“We can’t say anything definitive about the dose yet, but I imagine it’s a little more than a pomegranate a day,” Bohr said.
“However, this substance is already available in pill form and we are currently trying to find the right dosage,” he added.
Utolithin A could ideally be used to prevent neurological diseases, he noted.
“The advantage of the natural substance is that there is less risk of side effects.
Based on the “very promising results” of the mouse tests, the researchers now plan to move on to human clinical trials.
Other foods recommended for brain health include adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids (foods rich in omega-3s include salmon, walnuts, chia seeds, ground flaxseeds, and olive oil), green leafy vegetables, berries, and legumes (beans, lentils, and chickpeas). . ).
At least 150 minutes a week of physical activity and exercising the brain through various activities and civic participation can also help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms.