Since eggs were absolved of causing elevated blood cholesterol levels, science has been reporting previously unheard-of benefits for the ubiquitous Hen Fruit. Latest findings say eggs may help protect your brain against Alzheimer’s…
Remember when scientists – more than one team at more than one respected university – declared they had found no causative link between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol levels? Advocates for previously demonized foods went nuts, proclaiming their redemption…
Eggs in the spotlight
Eggs, particularly, were lauded anew as one of the healthiest foods we can eat. They’re full of protein, vitamins and minerals. And follow-up studies specifically on the advisability of consuming eggs showed that, basically, ‘more is more’.
One of the positive effects of regular egg consumption cited in those studies was that choline – found in abundance in eggs – was associated with better memory and concentration abilities.
The dementia connection
Now, further research in that direction has revealed that regular egg consumption may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in older patients.
What they did
A team from Loma Linda University in California wanted to explore the connections between eggs and Alzheimer’s.
They decided to data-mine a massive statistical collection on 40,000 subjects compiled by the long-term Adventist Health Study 2. The subjects were followed for an average of 15 years each.
What they found
The core findings of the analysis were clear: Eating one egg per day at least five days a week reduces risk of Alzheimer’s by up to 27 percent. Even in older patients.
“Compared to never eating eggs, eating at least five eggs per week can decrease risk of Alzheimer’s,” said Joan Sabaté, MD, a professor at Loma Linda University School of Public Health, and the study’s principal investigator.
Even those patients who only ate eggs once a week showed brain function benefits, though not at the same level as those who sate at least one egg a day.
The takeaway
It’s all about choline. As we said earlier in this post, the substance is firmly linked to better cognitive performance. And eggs are recognised as a rich source.
Eggs also contain lutein and zeaxanthin – carotenoids that accumulate in brain tissue and are associated with improved cognitive performance and reduced oxidative stress.
And eggs contain key omega-3 fatty acids, and yolks are particularly rich in phospholipids, which constitute nearly 30 percent of total egg lipids (fats) and are essential for neurotransmitter receptor function.
My take
I’ve been eating my egg-a-day since I first came across the new research absolving the Hen Fruit of its former ‘condemned’ status. And I’ve noticed definite cognitive benefits. Only time will tell whether I’ll be protected against dementia by all the great brain boosting components of eggs.
I have a vested interest: my Dad suffered from slowly-progressing classic age-related dementia for the last 15 years of his life. I’m just two years younger than he was when he died. I’ve had no indication that I’m following in his footsteps. Cross my fingers and say a little prayer…
~ Maggie J.