Diets High In Fruits & Veggies Might Lower Risk Of Alzheimer's

It's no secret that eating fruits and vegetables can have positive health benefits, from encouraging exercise to decreasing the risk of cardiovascular death. New research has also linked the nutrient-packed foods to a decreased risk of one neurological disease.

A study published in Neurology found diets high in the antioxidant flavonol might reduce the risk of Alzheimer's dementia later in life. 

Researchers analyzed more than 920 people who were around 81 years old without Alzheimer's dementia. The participants filled out a survey on their diets and how often they ate certain foods. To control for dietary factors, they were also asked how often they spend doing physical activity, reading, or playing board games. 

Based on the flavonol reported in their diets, participants were divided into five groups. The group who consumed the least amount ate a little more than 5 mg per day, and the group who consumed the most ate about 15.3 mg. 

Participants were followed for up to six years, and in that time 220 developed Alzheimer's dementia. The people who consumed the most flavonol were 48% less likely to develop the disease. 

Nearly all fruits, vegetables, and teas contain the beneficial antioxidant. Therefore, adding more of these healthy staples to your diet can be "a fairly inexpensive and easy way for people to help stave off Alzheimer's dementia," said study author Thomas M. Holland, M.D.

People with diets high in isorhamnetin and myricetin each had a 38% reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia, while the kaempferol group was 51% less likely. The fourth group, quercetin, was not linked to a reduced risk.