Studies have determined that diets low in flavanols, found in certain vegetables and fruits, accelerate age-related memory loss.
Researchers discovered that flavanol consumption among older individuals closely aligns with test scores intended to detect memory loss caused by normal aging, and replenishment with these dietary components can improve test performance among people aged over 60 who are mildly deficient in flavanol consumption.
Studies showed significant improvement among individuals eating low-flavanol diets, suggesting using supplements or flavanol-rich diets for improving cognitive function in older individuals could be an option.
Results support the idea that an aging brain needs specific nutrients for optimal health, just as a developing one does.
This research builds upon over 15 years of research linking age-related memory loss with changes to one of the brain’s dentate gyrus regions – essential for learning new memories – which showed flavanols could improve its function.
Research in mice has also shown that flavanols, specifically epicatechin, improve memory by increasing neuron and blood vessel growth within the hippocampus.
Researchers conducted further experiments with flavanol supplements, with one small study revealing that dentate gyrus is associated with cognitive aging. Another larger study concluded that flavanols improved memory by targeting specifically this area of the brain – with those starting with a poor-quality diet seeing greater benefits from their usage.
This current study sought to test the effects of flavanols in a larger population and examine whether flavanol deficiency promoted cognitive aging in this brain region.
Over 3,500 older individuals who were otherwise healthy were randomly allocated either a daily flavanol supplement pill containing 500 mg of flavanols, including 80 mg epicatechins, or a placebo pill for three years.
At the outset of this study, all participants completed a survey that assessed diet quality. Flavanol-rich foods were given special consideration. Subsequently, web-based activities were completed at home and evaluated to assess short-term memory management by hippocampus. After years 1-3, tests were repeated.
Over one third of participants provided urine samples, allowing a biomarker for flavanol levels in diet to be measured both before and during the study. This allowed more accurate testing to see whether flavanol levels correlated with cognitive test performance while simultaneously verifying that individuals adhered to their regimen assigned.
Flavanol levels varied slightly between individuals, although none were severely deficient in flavanols. Supplementation proved useful for individuals who exhibited mild flavanol deficiency.
Only slight memory score improvements were seen among participants who took daily flavanol supplements; most already consumed an excellent diet that provided ample amounts of flavanols.
By the end of their first year on flavanol supplementation, individuals with poorer diets and reduced baseline flavanol levels experienced an average memory improvement of 10.5% relative to placebo and 16% relative to their baseline memory scores; this improvement persisted for at least two more years after its initiation.
Study results demonstrated that flavanol deficiency exacerbates age-related memory loss as evidenced by its association with memory scores and supplementation with flavanols improving memory in those deficient in flavanols.
This study’s results are in line with those from another, where it was observed that flavanol supplements did not improve memory in individuals with different baseline levels of flavanols; the previous research did not evaluate effects on individuals with both low and high baseline levels; both studies indicate flavanols do not negatively impact individuals without deficiencies.
