Be Vegetarian

This news is a godsend for mothers, who can be foreseen strengthening their resolve to wean their kids away from fast food addiction. Recent researches have pointed in the direction that vegetable eating keeps the brain younger and helps slowing the weakening of the brain associated with advanced age. Aged people eating two helpings of vegetables everyday over a period of six years appeared to be five years younger than people who did not eat vegetables, or even ate few vegetables.

The research does not conclusively prove that eating vegetables slowed the mental decline process, but it certainly leads in that direction. Green leafy vegetables have been seen to be more useful than other vegetables. Spinach, collards, and kale fall in the category of the most useful vegetables. The vitamin E content in these vegetables, which is a known antioxidant, might be responsible for finishing off the cell damaging chemicals that the body produces. Vegetables have more Vitamin E than fruits. Moreover, the oils that go into cooking vegetables help the body absorb Vitamin E and other oxidants better. However, Vitamin E has not been found to be linked to slowing the mental decline process.

The research was conducted on 1,946 people who were 65 years of age and above, 60% of who were black. A vegetable serving constituted half a cup of chopped or one cup of raw leafy green vegetable. The research that extended up to six years had three mental function tests. Among other tests, the volunteers were made to recall certain elements of the story that was just read to them. On the whole, the volunteers gradually showed a declining performance over these tests. But, those who ate the two servings of vegetables showed around 40% lesser mental decline. People who ate more vegetables were physically more active.