Care for people with dementia: according to a study, eating a handful of peanuts a day could keep them away from dementia

Dementia can affect memory loss, speed of thinking, mental acuity and understanding, but experts have not yet found a cure for degenerative disease. However, staying physically active, not smoking and drinking less alcohol are all ways to prevent dementia, and Australian researchers now claim that eating nuts in the long run could be essential for the elderly retain and even improve their memory and thinking skills. .

Their study of more than 4,800 Chinese adults over the age of 55 found that consuming more than 10 grams of nuts per day – a value of two teaspoons – was "positively badociated" with better mental functioning, especially to an improvement of thought, reasoning and memory.

The lead researcher, Dr. Ming Li, said the study was the first to report an badociation between cognition and nut consumption among older Chinese adults, providing important insights into growing mental health problems – including dementia – experienced by an aging population.

Dr. Li from the University of Southern Australia said, "The aging of the population is one of the most important challenges of the 21st century.

"Not only are people living longer, but, with age, they need additional support for health, putting unprecedented pressure on health and care services for people. elderly.

"In China, it is a huge problem because the population is aging much faster than almost every other country in the world.

"Improved and preventative health care, including dietary modifications, can help address the challenges posed by an aging population.

"By eating more than 10 grams – or two teaspoons – of nuts a day, older people could improve their cognitive function by up to 60% – compared to those who do not eat it – avoiding effectively what would normally be experienced as a natural experience at two, cognitive decline of the year ".

China has one of the fastest aging populations in the world. By 2029, the Chinese population is expected to peak at 1.44 billion, with the youth-to-old ratio being dramatically unbalanced by the growing number of older people.

By 2050, 330 million Chinese will be over 65 and 90.4 million over 80, representing the largest population of this age group among the oldest.

The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that by 2020, the number of people aged 60 and over will be greater than the number of children under five years old.

The new study badyzed figures from the 22-year nutrition and health survey in China, and found that 17% of participants were regular consumers of nuts, mostly peanuts.

According to Dr. Li, peanuts have specific anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that can alleviate and reduce cognitive decline.

She said: "Nuts are known to be high in fats, proteins and healthy fiber with nutritional properties that can lower cholesterol and improve cognitive health.

"While there is no cure for age-related cognitive decline and age-related neurodegenerative disease, variations in people's diets make improvements." to the elderly. "

The WHO estimates at 47 million the number of people with dementia in the world.

By 2030, this figure is expected to reach 75 million and by 2050 the number of dementia cases worldwide is expected to almost triple. China has the largest population of people with dementia.

Dr. Li added, "As people get older, they naturally experience changes in conceptual reasoning, memory, and speed of treatment.

"It's all part of the normal aging process.

"But age is also the most important risk factor known for cognitive diseases.

"If we can find ways to help seniors maintain their cognitive health and independence longer – even by changing their diet – the effort is well worth it."

The results were published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging.

A study published last week suggested that some sign in the eyes can detect dementia.