Don't forget to eat your vegetables

[Arkan]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061023/ap_on_...etables_aging_4

 

CHICAGO - New research on vegetables and aging gives mothers another reason to say "I told you so." It found that eating vegetables appears to help keep the brain young and may slow the mental decline sometimes associated with growing old. ADVERTISEMENT

 

 

 

On measures of mental sharpness, older people who ate more than two servings of vegetables daily appeared about five years younger at the end of the six-year study than those who ate few or no vegetables.

 

The research in almost 2,000 Chicago-area men and women doesn't prove that vegetables reduce mental decline, but it adds to mounting evidence pointing in that direction. The findings also echo previous research in women only.

 

Green leafy vegetables including spinach, kale and collards appeared to be the most beneficial. The researchers said that may be because they contain healthy amounts of vitamin E, an antioxidant that is believed to help fight chemicals produced by the body that can damage cells.

 

Vegetables generally contain more vitamin E than fruits, which were not linked with slowed mental decline in the study. Vegetables also are often eaten with healthy fats such as salad oils, which help the body absorb vitamin E and other antioxidants, said lead author Martha Clare Morris, a researcher at the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging at Chicago's Rush University Medical Center.

 

The fats from healthy oils can help keep cholesterol low and arteries clear, which both contribute to brain health.

 

The study was published in this week's issue of the journal Neurology and funded with grants from the National Institute on Aging.

 

"This is a sound paper and contributes to our understanding of cognitive decline," said Dr. Meir Stampfer of Harvard's School of Public Health.

 

"The findings specific for vegetables and not fruit add further credibility that this is not simply a marker of a more healthful lifestyle," said Stampfer, who was not involved in the research.

 

The research involved 1,946 people aged 65 and older who filled out questionnaires about their eating habits. A vegetable serving equaled about a half-cup chopped or one cup if the vegetable was a raw leafy green like spinach.

 

They also had mental function tests three times over about six years; about 60 percent of the study volunteers were black.

 

The tests included measures of short-term and delayed memory, which asked these older people to recall elements of a story that had just been read to them. The participants also were given a flashcard-like exercise using symbols and numbers.

 

Overall, people did gradually worse on these tests over time, but those who ate more than two vegetable servings a day had about 40 percent less mental decline than those who ate few or no vegetables. Their test results resembled what would be expected in people about five years younger, Morris said,

 

The study also found that people who ate lots of vegetables were more physically active, adding to evidence that "what's good for your heart is good for your brain," said neuroscientist Maria Carillo, director of medical and scientific relations for the Alzheimer's Association.

 

The study examined mental decline but did not look at whether any of the study volunteers developed

Alzheimer's disease.

 

Not that surprising, but more fuel for the parents who demand that children finish their vegetables.

[LadyCrimson]

It found that eating vegetables appears to help keep the brain young and may slow the mental decline sometimes associated with growing old.

I'm not even 40 and already there's a mental decline; I blame the pizza.

 

Seriously tho...yes, not surprising. All things in balance.

[kumquatq3]

Seriously tho...yes, not surprising. All things in balance.

 

So, the Force is with the veggies?

[Blarghagh]

It found that eating vegetables appears to help keep the brain young and may slow the mental decline sometimes associated with growing old.

I'm not even 40 and already there's a mental decline; I blame the pizza.

 

I'm not even 20, and the same for me.

[Arkan]

It found that eating vegetables appears to help keep the brain young and may slow the mental decline sometimes associated with growing old.

I'm not even 40 and already there's a mental decline; I blame the pizza.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'm not even 20, and the same for me.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

That's not mental decline, you were dumb to begin with

[Volourn]

Oh SNAP!

[letsryde23]

Somehow, i think all the booze might have contributed to my mental decline, or maybe its just cause i was young and THOUGHT i knew everything that it seems like i dont now..... thought.... getting... too... deep... must watch reality tv... ahhhh... there she goes.. uh, wait what were we talking about?

Edited October 24, 2006 by letsryde23

[Marka Ragnos]

I often find myself forgetting what I did 2 minutes ago and forget what I was just thinking about even though I wasn't distracted, other times I can remember things perfectly from years ago.

[kumquatq3]

Oh SNAP!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Indeed

[Oerwinde]

I often find myself forgetting what I did 2 minutes ago and forget what I was just thinking about even though I wasn't distracted, other times I can remember things perfectly from years ago.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Common occurance for me:

 

Me: What can I get for you?

Customer: *gives sandwich order*

Me: Would you like cheese on that?

Customer: Yes

Me: Would you like it toasted?

Customer: Yes

Me:*puts meat on sandwich* Would you like cheese on that? *etc.*

[Walsingham]

What I want to know is, what are the comparative befits of eating veg regularly compared with the benefits of putting on a fancy outfit and fighting crime regularly? I can't be expected to do both.

[astr0creep]

Another reason to have my daily dose of spinach and carrot juice!

 

I'll be paralyzed but I'll look good (w00t)

[Fenghuang]

What I want to know is, what are the comparative befits of eating veg regularly compared with the benefits of putting on a  fancy outfit and fighting crime regularly? I can't be expected to do both.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

It depends on the fancy outfit. Does it include a utility belt?

[Sand]

Would I get the same benefits if I eat vegetarians?

 

*I kid, I kid!*

[Hell Kitty]

I'm waiting for science to bring me chocolate flavoured vegetables.

[Walsingham]

What I want to know is, what are the comparative befits of eating veg regularly compared with the benefits of putting on a  fancy outfit and fighting crime regularly? I can't be expected to do both.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

It depends on the fancy outfit. Does it include a utility belt?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Naturally.

[Fenghuang]

Stuff vegetables in the utility belt and eat them while you're out on those all night watches then!

[LadyCrimson]

I'm waiting for science to bring me chocolate flavoured vegetables.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd go for meat flavored veggies.

Then again, I can just eat meat...

[Dark_Raven]

Would I get the same benefits if I eat vegetarians?

 

*I kid, I kid!*

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No protein for you.

Edited October 26, 2006 by Dark_Raven

[Dark_Raven]

I'm waiting for science to bring me chocolate flavoured vegetables.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd go for meat flavored veggies.

Then again, I can just eat meat...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A nice medium done steak or a tasty pot roast is a no go?

[Walsingham]

Stuff vegetables in the utility belt and eat them while you're out on those all night watches then!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

*dubious*

 

Like carrots? Maybe I should go for something heavy like jackfruit. They're dangerous.

[LadyCrimson]

I'm waiting for science to bring me chocolate flavoured vegetables.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd go for meat flavored veggies.

Then again, I can just eat meat...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A nice medium done steak or a tasty pot roast is a no go?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not in this household.

[kirottu]

What I want to know is, what are the comparative befits of eating veg regularly compared with the benefits of putting on a  fancy outfit and fighting crime regularly? I can't be expected to do both.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Eating veggies gives you hot chicks. At least that

[Sand]

But crime fighting does give you a boy sidekick in spandex. Maybe he is into that sort of thing.

[Gfted1]

Vegatables schmegatables, I take a Centrum every day to keep me strong like bull.