Are eggs good for the brain?
“Egg intake was associated with better performance on neuro-psychological tests of the frontal lobe and executive functioning. These findings suggest a high-cholesterol diet or frequent consumption of eggs do not increase the risk of memory disorders even in persons who are genetically pre-disposed,” said Professor Virtanen.
Eggs contain protein, antioxidants, and Vitamins A, E, and D, which are excellent for maintaining good health. One large egg contains 6 grams of high-quality protein, which is good for maintaining fluid balance, good blood circulation, and for keeping muscles, joints, organs, and tissues healthy.
Vitamin E has been shown to reduce the risk of future heart attacks in sufferers of heart disease, while lutein, a powerful antioxidant in eggs, helps to protect arteries from clogging.
Recent research shows that consuming one egg every day can reduce the risk of stroke by 12% and helps to decrease the risk of heart disease significantly, which could save millions of people’s lives!
What is dementia?
Dementia is a deteriorating condition in the brain that causes memory loss, personality changes, impaired reasoning, and poor cognitive function. It is closely linked to Alzheimer’s disease, which affects 5.4 million Americans per year.
A new study conducted by Finnish researchers and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that eating eggs for breakfast does not increase the risk of dementia but rather helps to increase cognitive function.
Why were eggs previously linked to dementia?
Previous research linked the dietary cholesterol in eggs to increasing the risk of developing heart disease and high blood pressure, as well as leading to weight gain.
It is commonly known that increasing these risks increases the risk of brain disorders, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Any conditions that damage the cardiovascular system and affect blood circulation can affect the brain but new research has found that eggs do not contribute to these conditions.
How do they know that eggs are safe to eat?
The research team in Finland analyzed the dietary habits of 2497 males aged 42-60 who had not ever been diagnosed with a memory disorder.
Over a period of 22 years, 13% or 337 of the participants went on to develop a neurological condition, the majority of who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.
After careful investigation, it was found that one-third of those carried a gene known as ‘APOE4’, which is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and dementia. People who carry this gene are at an increased risk of developing these conditions even though there is no guarantee that they will ever get it.
Either way, it was proven that eggs did not contribute to any neurological and brain disorders. Professor Jyrki Virtanen, the lead author of the study from the University of Eastern Finland, said: “Neither cholesterol nor egg intake was associated with a higher risk of incident dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.”
An egg a day might just keep the doctor away! Best served first thing in the morning.
Sources:
http://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/about-dementia/facts-stats/
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/statistics
http://www.alzheimers.net/2014-01-02/foods-that-induce-memory-loss/
http://dujs.dartmouth.edu/2011/02/you-are-what-you-eat-how-food-affects-your-mood/#.WHhsgvB97IU
http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/7/1/706/htm
http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-eating/eggs-and-your-health
