An egg a day may boost memory, brain functions in women: Study
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New Delhi: A new study suggests that consuming eggs daily may help boost memory and maintain cognitive function, particularly semantic memory, in women as they age. Researchers from the University of California San Diego found that eggs, despite being high in dietary cholesterol, offer essential nutrients that support brain health.
The study, published in the journal 'Nutrients', involved 890 adults over the age of 55, including 533 women. Results revealed that women who ate more eggs experienced less decline in verbal fluency over four years. Additionally, these women were better at naming categories of items, such as animals, compared to those who consumed fewer or no eggs. These cognitive benefits were observed even after adjusting for other lifestyle and health factors.
The key cognitive advantages of eggs are attributed to choline, a nutrient that supports brain function, memory, and communication between brain cells. Eggs are also rich in vitamins such as B-6, B-12, and folic acid, which may help prevent brain shrinkage and delay cognitive decline.
While the study did not report any significant cognitive improvements in men, it found no harmful effects from egg consumption in either gender. The findings are particularly important in light of growing concerns over cognitive decline as life expectancy increases.
In addition to their cognitive benefits, previous research has shown that eggs are a valuable source of protein that can help protect women from osteoporosis. Eggs provide high-quality protein, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and selenium, which contribute to bone health. The vitamin A, vitamin B12, and selenium found in eggs are also essential for maintaining a healthy immune system.
Donna Kritz-Silverstein, the lead researcher and Professor at UC San Diego, emphasized that eggs could be an affordable and accessible way to promote cognitive health in women. This study provides further evidence of the multifaceted health benefits of including eggs in the diet, particularly for women.
With IANS inputs
