Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that affects your memory, thought processes and behaviour. Over a few years, it can rob you of your independence, leaving you living in a state of confusion and fear as your cognitive abilities continue to decline. It’s no surprise that it remains as one the most feared aspects of ageing. Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure. However, new research has discovered that what you eat could bolster your long-term brain health and, more importantly, protect you against this widespread disease.
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While plenty of foods have been shown to benefit brain health, there’s an unlikely hero emerging from the whirlwind of studies that cross your newsfeeds every year. It’s a breakfast staple with limitless applications beyond the most important meal of the day, and has been a muscle-building go-to for generations.
New Research Suggests Eggs Could Help Lower Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
As part of a new study, researchers tracked the general health and eating habits of a group of 40 000 participants over around 15 years. Using medical records, they kept tabs on any Alzheimer’s diagnoses to help identify certain foods that were more prevalent in the diets of those who managed to stave off the disease.
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Ultimately, they found that frequent consumption of eggs led to a 27% risk reduction in developing Alzheimer’s, while eating smaller amounts also showed promising brain health benefits. They concluded that people who ate at least 1 egg every day for 5 or more days each week less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those eating fewer or none in the same period.
Packed with Nutrients: Why Eggs Should Be Part of Any Healthy Eating Pattern
Eggs contain many different nutrients that are vital to the brain. For instance, they’re a rich source of choline, something your body uses to produce vital phospholipids that are crucial for communication between brain cells and memory. They also contain zeaxanthin and lutein, two compounds which have been linked to lower levels of oxidative stress and improved cognitive performance. Plus, they contain omega-3 fatty acids, something your brain requires for maintenance and daily operation.
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But the benefits of eating eggs extend far beyond the contents of your skull. There’s a reason that most muscle-building meal plans feature the ingredient front and centre for breakfast, lunch and dinner. An average egg packs around 6g of protein and weighs in at about 72 calories; a golden ratio if you’re trying to hit your macro goals without overshooting your calorie count.
