Spinach could help fight off dementia

by The New Age:So Popeye had the right idea after all, spinach is good for you and now researchers have found that it can help fight dementia symptoms.Antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables; including spinach; could help fight the dementia symptoms, the Telegraph reported. Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behaviour. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia.German scientists studied the differences between 74 people with mild Alzheimer's disease and 158 healthy subjects. The study participants, whose ages ranged from 65 to 90 years of age, underwent a series of tests including blood tests and neuropsychological testing. They also had to answer questions about their lifestyle and have their body mass index calculated.The study found that the serum-concentration of the antioxidants vitamin C and beta-carotene were significantly lower in patients with mild dementia than in control group.However there was no such difference between the groups in levels of other antioxidants including vitamin E, lycopene, coenzyme Q10.Research team leader, Professor Gabriele Nagel noted that although more studies were needed to confirm the results, the findings suggested fruits and vegetables could play a role in fighting the disease. 'Longitudinal studies with more participants are necessary to confirm the result that vitamin C and beta-carotene might prevent the onset and development of Alzheimer’s disease,' he added.So in the meantime, keep eating your spinach and sing along: 'I'm strong to the finich, Cause I eats me spinach. I'm Popeye the Sailor Man...!! Health Benefits of SpinachSpinach is an excellent source of beta-carotene, which has been shown, among other things, to reduce the risk of developing cataracts. It fights heart disease and cancer as well.As a dark, leafy green, spinach possesses several important phytochemicals, including lutein, which helps prevent age-related macular degeneration. Spinach also contains lipoic acid, which helps antioxidant vitamins C and E regenerate.