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Published On: Tue, Jul 19th, 2016

5 Foods That May Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

As humans grow older, their bodies and minds change and may begin to suffer from a number of different ailments. While most of these issues are easily treated with medication, the mental illness Alzheimer’s Disease can be debilitating and even lead to death. This form of dementia can cause profound memory loss, unpredictable behavior, and the loss of motor function. While there are several risk factors for this disease, poor nutrition can be a contributing factor. However, there are five foods you can add to your diet that may help you prevent the development of Alzheimer’s Disease.

1.     Broccoli

Broccoli is one of several cruciferous vegetables that contain a number of benefits for the body, including its ability to lower cholesterol, detoxify dangerous contaminants, and deliver crucial vitamins to the system, such as vitamin D. However, it can also be a beneficial food if you are at risk for developing Alzheimer’s because it contains both folates and carotenoids, both of which have shown to lower the amount of certain amino acids in the body that negatively affect cognitive ability.

photo US National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center

photo US National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center

There are number of ways you can add more broccoli to your diet, but in order to reap all of its benefits, it is best to steam or broil fresh broccoli florets, as frozen vegetables may lose some of their vital nutrients during the freezing and bagging process. Add fresh broccoli to a salad or dip raw florets in a low-sodium dressing to enjoy a crunchy, satisfying, and healthy snack.

2.     Red Fruits

If you want to lower your risk of developing the memory loss and forgetfulness that accompanies the onset of Alzheimer’s, then add fruits like apples, cherries, and raspberries to your grocery list. These fruits contain large amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants, which helps cleanse the body of harmful toxins. However, raspberries and cherries also contain an element called anthocyanin, which is a type of antioxidant that is especially beneficial for brain health. Apples contain flavonoid, which protects vital neurons in the brain and assists with modulating regular brain function; this may fend off cognitive breakdown.

It is simple to add red fruits to your diet. Sprinkle apple chunks and raspberries to whole-grain cereal each morning, and add cherries to a spinach salad for a refreshing summertime lunch. It is best to eat fresh cherries instead of dried ones, as dried fruit goes through a great deal of processing and may contain added sugar that can contribute to inflammation in the body.

3.     Curry Powder

This South Asian mix of spices that includes cumin and turmeric gives any food a bit of a kick and a unique and tasty flavor that you can add to almost any dish. Not only is curry power extremely versatile, it has the ability to lower certain types of inflammation in the brain that may contribute to Alzheimer’s. Curry powder may also help to destroy brain plaque, which is one of the main contributors to dementia disease.

There are a variety of recipes that include curry powder, such as Indian-style chicken with ginger. This dish includes a number of healthy ingredients like yogurt, olive oil, low-salt chicken broth, and Italian dressing. If you want to include a salad dressing that contains no preservatives and is made from natural ingredients, consider using Hamptoncreek Just Italian dressing, which can also be used in a wide variety of other recipes or served over salad.

4.     Pumpkin or Squash

There are a number of vitamins and minerals that are associated with improved brain function, including iron, vitamin C, and vitamin, and adding more pumpkin and squash to your diet can help you ingest healthy amounts of these brain and body-boosting elements. Pumpkin also contains folate and carotids, the latter of which gives these vegetables their color and prevents the brain from premature aging.

Pumpkin and squash can be added to a variety of casseroles, put into stews and soup, and pumpkin seeds can be roasted and lightly salted to create a nutritious snack. Pumpkin pie and squash bread are savory treats that you can include in your diet to help fight off the onset of Alzheimer’s.

5.     Legumes

Legumes include a wide variety of beans and lentils, but all of them have a variety of brain-healthy benefits. They are packed with B vitamins, calcium, and zinc, as well as protein that gives you plenty of energy to keep your body and mind active. They are also rich in antioxidants that may prevent your brain from aging too quickly. However, cooking any type of legumes for too long may sap them of these beneficial elements, so be sure not to overcook them.

There are several ways you can lower your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease, and adding these five foods to your diet can be a major contributor to keeping your mind healthy.

Guest Author: Lolita Di

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