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Older people who eat at least one serving of spinach, kale, or another leafy green vegetable per day are on average mentally 11 years younger than people the same age as them who don’t eat a serving a day.
One single food group: so neuroprotective!
So, what do these leafy greens have that has everyone always talking about them? Lutein, folate, beta carotene, and other rich nutrients that slow cognitive decline which naturally occurs as the brain ages.
I believe it, because after years of treating patients with the sight-stealing disease macular degeneration, it has been proven in multiple studies that this retinal degeneration process can be slowed down by daily intake of pigments such as lutein (found in green leafy veggies) as well as xeanzanthin and beta carotene.
The retina is nerve tissue and part of the brain, so it makes sense that the nutrients that slow down retinal deterioration also slows down brain decline.
Now that we know which nutrients protect against mental decline as we age, researchers would love to know exactly how these super nutrients do such a great job.
One good guess is that these nutrients are very anti-inflammatory, leading to less blood vessel damage from aging and toxic exposures over time. Another hypothesis is that these nutrients are so protective against stressors on our body that we are less likely to develop chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, which are linked to earlier cognitive decline overall.
You don’t have to be a vegetarian or even like veggies to take advantage of these super nutrients! Remember, the study found benefit in only one serving of green leafy veggies a day. That really isn’t a lot.
Rotate your greens so you don’t get bored! Other super green leafy veggies? Collard Greens, Bok Choy, Arugula, Beet Greens and more!
Make a shake every day with a fistful of spinach or kale in it. You won’t even taste the veggie if you find a yummy protein powder or, better yet, fill up the blender with berries and a banana.
Grind up some leafy greens and add them to your baked goods – even your kids will eat them!
Leafy greens can be added to almost any soup, salad, or stir fry. If you don’t love the taste of spinach or kale you can easily mask it in recipes you are already using.
Take a supplement. There are a few excellent manufacturers of the bioavailable nutrients we are talking about. The downside here is that the quality products are expensive.
