Can a Carrot Prevent Alzheimer’s?
Okay, it’s not as simple as that. But it’s not as far off as you might think either.
Cognitive decline is associated with aging. Without prevention or interventions to delay it, that cognitive decline could progress to mild cognitive impairment and even Alzheimer’s.
Nutrition can be one tool to prevent that from happening. And carotenes may be one of those nutrients.
This study included 2,009 people over 60. It measured dietary intake of alpha and betacarotene and evaluated cognitive function using three cognitive tests.
Compared to people who got the least betacarotene in their diet, those who got the most were at significantly lower risk of cognitive decline on two scales. Those who got the second most were at significantly lower risk on the other. Those who got the most alphacarotene had a significantly lower risk of cognitive decline on one.
This study suggests that a diet rich in alpha and betacarotenes may significantly slow cognitive decline.
Great sources of betacarotene include green leafy vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, apricots and peppers. Great sources of alphacarotene include green leafy vegetables, carrots, squash, corn, watermelon, peppers, potatoes, apples and peaches. You can also increase your carotene intake with supplements.
Nutrients 2023, 15(1), 239
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