Eating foods that are high in magnesium, such as spinach and nuts, could be good for our brain health, according to scientists at The Australian National University.
The researchers examined data of more than 6,000 people in the UK aged between 40 and 73.
They found that those who consumed more than 550 milligrams of magnesium each day had brains that were about one year younger by the time they reached 55 than those who had a normal magnesium intake of around 350 milligrams a day.
The researchers say that increased magnesium intake could also help reduce the risk of dementia, the seventh leading cause of death globally.
Dementia is a condition that affects our memory and thinking skills. It is more common in older people and can make it hard to do everyday tasks.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia, which is why scientists are trying to find ways to prevent it from happening.
The researchers believe that eating foods that are high in magnesium could be one way to help protect our brains.
In the study, participants completed a questionnaire about their diet five times over a period of 16 months.
The researchers then used the responses to work out how much magnesium the participants were eating each day.
They found that people who ate more magnesium had brains that were younger in age compared to those who ate less magnesium.
The scientists believe that the protective effects of magnesium may begin as early as our 40s, so it’s important for people of all ages to pay attention to their magnesium intake.
Magnesium is an important mineral that is essential for many processes in our bodies, including muscle and nerve function, regulating blood pressure, and maintaining strong bones.
In addition to its physical health benefits, magnesium may also be good for our brain health.
Studies suggest that magnesium can help reduce inflammation, which is a process that can damage our brain cells and contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.
Magnesium may also help improve the function of our brain cells by promoting healthy communication between them.
In addition, magnesium may help reduce stress and anxiety, which can have a negative impact on our brain health.
When we experience stress, our bodies release hormones like cortisol, which can damage our brain cells over time. Magnesium may help regulate these hormones and protect our brains from the damaging effects of stress.
While magnesium is found in many foods, including leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, many people may not be getting enough of it in their diets.
In fact, studies suggest that up to 50% of people in the US and Europe may not be meeting their daily magnesium requirements.
The researchers hope that their findings will help people understand the importance of a healthy diet for our brain health.
They suggest that eating more magnesium could help protect our brains as we age and reduce the risk of developing dementia.
While there is no cure for dementia, there are things we can do to reduce our risk.
In addition to eating a healthy diet, staying physically active and mentally stimulated, getting enough sleep, and managing stress are all important for maintaining brain health.
If you or someone you know is concerned about dementia or memory loss, it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional for advice and support.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about new hidden cause of dementia, and how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and flavonoid-rich foods could improve survival in Parkinson’s.
The study was conducted by Khawlah Alateeq et al and published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
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