Flavanols are a class of natural compounds from the flavonoid family, widely known for their health benefits and found in various plant-based foods. These bioactive compounds are particularly abundant in tea, apples, berries, and cocoa products and have gained significant attention in scientific research due to their potential positive effects on human health.
Flavanols are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and recent studies have suggested that they may benefit cognitive function, cardiovascular health, and other age-related conditions.
As a result, flavonols have become a subject of great interest in nutrition and preventive medicine, with researchers investigating their potential role in promoting overall well-being and reducing the risk of certain diseases. This introduction provides an overview of flavanols, their dietary sources, and the emerging research highlighting their potential health benefits.
As per Guardian, a three-year study conducted on 3,562 individuals around the age of 71 has revealed that people who maintain a diet rich in flavanols, commonly found in tea, apples, and berries, may have a reduced risk of developing age-related memory loss.
The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States, found that participants with high regular flavanol consumption demonstrated better hippocampal memory function, including short-term memory-making, than those with lower flavanol intake.
The study also proposed that consuming a daily flavanol supplement of 500mg could reverse the negative impact of low flavanol intake on memory function among older individuals.
However, the researchers emphasized that flavanol supplements do not affect individuals who do not have a flavanol deficiency. Notably, most older adults in the UK already consume substantial amounts of flavanols through their regular intake of tea, apples, and berries.
Scott Small, the lead scientist and a professor of neurology at Columbia University, described these findings as part of a growing body of research uncovering the importance of various nutrients in fortifying our aging minds.
During the study, healthy adults were randomly assigned to receive a daily 500mg flavanol supplement or a placebo for three years. Participants underwent several memory tests throughout the study period and provided information about their diets through surveys.
The researchers observed only slight improvements in memory scores for the group taking the flavanol supplement. However, within that group, a subset of individuals who initially had poor diets and low flavanol consumption experienced an average increase of 10.5% in memory scores compared to the placebo group and a 16% increase compared to the beginning of the study.
Gunter Kuhnle, a professor of nutrition and food science at the University of Reading and co-investigator of the study, suggested that there may be an optimum amount of flavanols in the diet, corresponding to a daily intake of approximately 500mg.
Opinions among scientists are divided on whether flavanol supplements benefit older individuals. Aedin Cassidy, a nutrition and preventative medicine chair at Queen’s University Belfast, regarded the study as “really important” and highlighted the readily achievable dose required for brain health improvement.
On the other hand, David Curtis, an honorary professor at the UCL Genetics Institute, expressed skepticism, stating that the study failed to provide evidence supporting the benefits of increasing flavanol intake. He argued that any differences observed between the flavanol and placebo groups were well within chance expectations.
Carl Hodgetts, a senior lecturer in cognitive neuroscience at Royal Holloway, University of London, acknowledged the study as an exciting contribution to the field. However, he disagreed with the conclusion that flavanol supplements directly affect hippocampal function, suggesting that further research incorporating MRI scans would be necessary to establish such a claim.
In summary, this comprehensive three-year study suggests that maintaining a diet rich in flavanols present in tea, apples, and berries may help mitigate age-related memory loss. While the potential benefits of flavanol supplements remain a topic of debate among scientists, this research highlights the importance of nutrition in supporting cognitive health in later life. It offers insights into potential avenues for combating dementia.
