For years, scientists have been investigating possible ways to prevent Alzheimer's from starting later in life, and a new study suggests a common kitchen ingredient may be the key to stopping the neurodegenerative disease.
The research was published Nutrition JournalEggs may be a potential savior in preventing Alzheimer’s dementia as we age. Eggs have long been touted for their neurological benefits, as they’re packed with choline, omega-3 fatty acids, and lutein—all important nutrients for brain health. And while some evidence suggests that eating eggs may improve cognitive performance on verbal tests, until now it wasn’t known whether eating eggs themselves affected the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists examined the self-reported dietary habits of 1,024 adults with an average age of 81.4. They found that eating more than one egg per week was associated with a 47% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s. After several years of follow-up, 280 participants, or about 27.3% of the total cohort, were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
The choline content of eggs was particularly interesting to scientists. “These findings suggest that frequent egg consumption is associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's dementia and [Alzheimer’s disease] “The association with pathology and Alzheimer's dementia is mediated in part by dietary choline,” the paper concluded.
The study adds to the scientific literature, including a 2021 study that found that people who ate at least one egg a week had slower memory decline than those who didn’t — the first of its kind to suggest a link between egg consumption and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
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More research is being done on the potential neurological benefits of eggs, and preliminary results don't definitively show that eating eggs prevents Alzheimer's, but they're still a promising step in the right direction.
“Eggs are one of several commonly consumed foods that are naturally rich in choline, a nutrient we are investigating to better understand its role in supporting cognitive development and maintenance throughout aging in infants and young children,” study lead author Taylor Wallace said in a statement. “This study adds to the growing evidence that dietary choices can have a significant impact on reducing the risk of Alzheimer's dementia and supporting cognitive health across the lifespan.”
Get ready to fart more than your grandpa.