Don't Forget the Flavonoids

Boost cognition through the colors of food

Have you heard the saying that goes along the lines of “what you do today, impacts your tomorrow”? Well, it is especially true when it comes to your nutrition.

Utilizing the famous Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort data, researchers sought to determine if flavonoid-rich diets had an effect on developing Alzheimer disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD). Data was reviewed from five exam groups between the years of 1991-2014, where individuals studied had to be at least 50 years old by 1995 to attribute for proper follow-up time of when onset of ADRD may occur. It was concluded that higher long-term dietary intakes of total flavonoids was associated with lower risk of developing AD and ADRD in US adults.

So, if you are intrigued and want to do all you can to prevent ADRD, let’s talk about flavonoids! Flavonoids are the naturally occurring pigments found in plant-based foods. Think of the bluest blueberries or the most red strawberries, the vibrant colors of food are represented through flavonoid-rich foods. All colors are beneficial though, so even white foods contribute here! For this study’s purpose, total flavonoids were calculated by combining flavonols and anthocyanins from food frequency questionnaires. So, the more we eat of these foods throughout our life, the more protection we have against developing ADRD later in life.

Of course, this is not the first time we have heard how fruits and vegetables are important for overall health and longevity. Fruits and vegetables provide a wealth of benefits ranging from fiber to hydration to vitamins. The more variety of the colors on your plate, the better! Try to categorize the colors of your food for a day, are you missing any colors? Now is the perfect time to catalog your flavonoid intake to aid in prevention of many health conditions later!

Looking for more ways to add color to otherwise, bland-colored meals? Try a blueberry topping on our Monstropolis Waffles or Strawberry Salsa to go with your homemade chips.

Published September 2020