Plant-Based Foods Linked to Slower Memory Loss in Men

Men who eat more fruit and vegetables may lower their risk of memory loss and thinking ability as they age, according to a recent study about cognitive decline. Scientists at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA analyzed data in a cohort study that followed nearly 28,000 men over a 26-year period. During the study, the men recorded how many servings of fruit, vegetables, and other foods they consumed each day and then again every four years from 1986 to 2002. The participants engaged in follow-up tests in 2012 that scored their ability to think and recall facts. Scientists discovered that those who consumed more plant-based foods—specifically leafy greens, red and orange vegetables, berries, and orange juice—were 34 percent less likely to experience a reduction in memory function. “Our studies provide further evidence [that] dietary choices can be important to maintain your brain health,” lead author Dr. Changzheng Yuan said. The results also showed a 47 percent less chance of having poor cognitive test scores among men who drank orange juice every day, particularly those in the older age group.