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Wednesday 10 February 2021

"More wine and cheese, less cognitive decline"

"Diet modifications -- including more wine and cheese -- may help reduce cognitive decline, study suggests.

Date: December 10, 2020
Source: Iowa State University

Summary: The foods we eat may have a direct impact on our cognitive acuity in our later years, according to new research. The findings show cheese protected against age-related cognitive problems and red wine was related to improvements in cognitive function.

The foods we eat may have a direct impact on our cognitive acuity in our later years. This is the key finding of an Iowa State University research study spotlighted in an article published in the November 2020 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

The study was spearheaded by principal investigator, Auriel Willette, an assistant professor in Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Brandon Klinedinst, a Neuroscience PhD candidate working in the Food Science and Human Nutrition department at Iowa State. The study is a first-of-its-kind large scale analysis that connects specific foods to later-in-life cognitive acuity.

Willette, Klinedinst and their team analysed data collected from 1,787 aging adults (from 46 to 77 years of age, at the completion of the study) in the United Kingdom through the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database and research resource containing in-depth genetic and health information from half-a-million UK participants. The database is globally accessible to approved researchers undertaking vital research into the world's most common and life-threatening diseases.

Participants completed a Fluid Intelligence Test (FIT) as part of touchscreen questionnaire at baseline (compiled between 2006 and 2010) and then in two follow-up assessments (conducted from 2012 through 2013 and again between 2015 and 2016). The FIT analysis provides an in-time snapshot of an individual's ability to "think on the fly."

Participants also answered questions about their food and alcohol consumption at baseline and through two follow-up assessments. The Food Frequency Questionnaire asked participants about their intake of fresh fruit, dried fruit, raw vegetables and salad, cooked vegetables, oily fish, lean fish, processed meat, poultry, beef, lamb, pork, cheese, bread, cereal, tea and coffee, beer and cider, red wine, white wine and champagne and liquor.

Here are four of the most significant findings from the study:
1. Cheese, by far, was shown to be the most protective food against age-related cognitive problems, even late into life;
2. The daily consumption of alcohol, particularly red wine, was related to improvements in cognitive function;
3. Weekly consumption of lamb, but not other red meats, was shown to improve long-term cognitive prowess; and
4. Excessive consumption of salt is bad, but only individuals already at risk for Alzheimer's Disease may need to watch their intake to avoid cognitive problems over time.

"I was pleasantly surprised that our results suggest that responsibly eating cheese and drinking red wine daily are not just good for helping us cope with our current COVID-19 pandemic, but perhaps also dealing with an increasingly complex world that never seems to slow down," Willette said. "While we took into account whether this was just due to what well-off people eat and drink, randomized clinical trials are needed to determine if making easy changes in our diet could help our brains in significant ways."

Klinedinst added, "Depending on the genetic factors you carry, some individuals seem to be more protected from the effects of Alzheimer's, while others seem to be at greater risk. That said, I believe the right food choices can prevent the disease and cognitive decline altogether. Perhaps the silver bullet we're looking for is upgrading how we eat. Knowing what that entails contributes to a better understanding of Alzheimer's and putting this disease in a reverse trajectory."

Willette and Klinedinst acknowledge the valuable contributions of the other members of the research team."

The above, more information and details of the research team can be seen here
h/t to Marks Daily Apple here


Dear reader, this blog is presented in a magazine style, and you will find a variety of articles, studies, thoughts, photographs, music and recipes within it.

Please note, not all recipe suggestions may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

44 comments:

Lee said...

I love cheese...and I always have a good supply on hand...in hand...and in mouth!

I drink wine, or any alcohol for that matter, very rarely these days. I did enjoy a few glasses of a good red wine...Shiraz...at our annual neighbourhood Australia Day gathering...and I probably won't have any again until the annual Christmas party later in December, 2021! What a drag I am! lol

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Hmmm...big cheese eater here. Now I need some red wine!

William Kendall said...

I love cheese, but I do not drink at all.

Lorrie said...

Hmmm. So many factors to consider. I eat cheese almost every day, and drink wine rarely. My parents, in their 80s also eat a lot of cheese, but never drink wine, nor eat lamb. Their cognitive function is just fine.
With Valentine's Day coming up a dinner for two with some wine and cheese included sounds like a lovely thing for us.

Rain said...

That's good news for me as I drink wine and eat cheese daily! Though I do already have some cognitive issues...I guess the wine and cheese helped them not to be worse! ;) - and I'm sticking with that theory lol! :)

Tom said...

...I enjoy cheese, but not wine.

Elephant's Child said...

Cognitive decline scares me (witless). Cheese I eat, red wine on occasion. My salt intake is limited. Fingers crossed.

Christine said...

Good news here!

Lady Caer Morganna said...

Hmmm, I really LIKE THIS - after all, what sane person wouldn't? lol Wine and cheese are a great combo. Thanks for sharing!

peppylady (Dora) said...

I like cheese but my trouble is lactose promblems.
Coffee is on and stay safe

Margaret D said...

Like a bit of cheese every now and then but definitely not red wine.

At Home In New Zealand said...

More cheese and red wine? Sounds like a good plan to me LOL

Jo said...

I love cheese, and I do drink wine but prefer white or rose over red.

mamasmercantile said...

Cheese, yes please but sadly wine, no thank you.

linda said...

That's good to know I do love cheese but I can't drink red wine now because of gastric problems what a shame! I do love Lamb though I'll be getting some on my next shopping trip.

chica said...

Que bom saber...Essa dupla é maravilhosa! beijos, chica

Iris Flavia said...

Hand me the cheese, then :-)

Lady Fi said...

You had me at the heading!

Martha said...

This is one I can handle daily! :)

kathyinozarks said...

More cheese and wine for me then

Phil Slade said...

Thanks for this information. I've been doing it right for years. Illy send you the money later.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Cheese! The new brie I'm trying is thinner than the one I regularly use. Exploring cheeses is a comforting winter pastime.

Sami said...

I love cheese, and always say I could live just on cheese alone. Don't drink much wine and don't like lamb... Will have to eat more cheese I think to make up for the lack of the others :)

Stevenson Q said...

Looove both wine and cheese Jan! The problem here in the Philippines is that most of the cheeses that are commercially available are processed food cheese and not real ones. the real ones are on the very expensive side! I bought a box of that circular blue cheese two weeks ago but when I got home it's just processed with mixed of blue cheese! Hope to find authentic ones on a Cheese Deli.

DVArtist said...

Wow this is a fantastic post. I am so glad cheese is a good thing. Have a nice day.

Divers and Sundry said...

A pleasant thought :)

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Fine!!! I like very much the cheese.. Very interesting... Stay safe...

JFM said...

Love cheese but I don't drink wine or and liquor

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

I enjoy both cheese and red wine! More, please!
Take care, enjoy your day!

Bill said...

Love cheese but not wine.

Debbie said...

this is good to know!! i eat plenty of cheese but alcohol is not allowed with my medications. good that i am a cheese lover!!

Angie said...

Jan - this is good news for seniors everywhere! I think I will have some wine and cheese to celebrate! (I am a white wine drinker - red tends to give me headaches ...)

Rose said...

I at least like and eat quite a bit of cheese...but not the wine. The negative is I like salt.

This was really interesting...

happyone said...

I love cheese but don't drink wine.

My name is Erika. said...

This is good to know. I'm always game for cheese and a glass of red wine too. Have a great Thursday!

NatureFootstep said...

ouch! I really wish I could eat cheese as I would want it. But I know I´ll be scratching the next day :(

Teresa said...

Muy interesante, me encanta el queso el vino menos. Besos.

Sondra said...

A glass of wine a day sounds OK to me....recently gave cheese up again, but I do love it. Thanks for bringing all this good info to us.

Crafty Green Poet said...

so I'll have cheese and biscuits and a good real ale later tonight then!

This N That said...

Interesting information...Thanks for sharing..

Sue said...

I'm not a wine lover but I'll happily take double the cheese! Take care xx

Jeanie said...

You have no idea how good this news is to me! Two of my favorite food groups!

Kezzie said...

This is interesting. Afraid the only one of these I eat regularly is cheese! But I do love cheese!

Magic Love Crow said...

Excellent post Jan! I shared this with my mom! Big Hugs!