Cognitive health is increasingly in focus in the media and amongst researchers as a result of our ageing population. This week’s Nutrition News looks at a number of recently published nutritional papers including one that suggests something as simple as eggs in your diet could support your cognitive health.
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Egg consumption shown to impact cognitive decline in women
A recent study has explored how egg consumption affects cognitive health in older adults, revealing potential benefits, particularly for women. Researchers discovered that eating eggs might help preserve cognitive function, especially semantic memory, without adverse effects for either sex. This study, reported in the article “Egg consumption linked to slower cognitive decline in women”, utilised data from the Rancho Bernardo Study, focusing on cognitive changes over time. The study analysed 890 participants (533 women and 357 men) who underwent cognitive assessments during visits between 1988 and 1996.
Cognitive function was evaluated using three tests: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for overall cognitive health, the Trail-Making Test Part B (Trails B) for executive functions, and a category fluency test for verbal memory. Egg consumption was recorded through a food frequency questionnaire, and additional factors such as age, education, lifestyle, and diet were considered. Researchers used linear regression to analyse the relationship between egg consumption and cognitive changes, with sex-specific analyses highlighting differences between men and women.
The findings indicated that higher egg consumption was associated with a smaller decline in verbal fluency among women. For each increase in egg consumption, women showed a slight but significant reduction in the deterioration of category fluency scores. This suggests that women who ate more eggs were better at naming categories of items, such as animals, over time. Importantly, this association remained significant even after accounting for other variables such as age, lifestyle, and health conditions. However, egg consumption did not significantly affect other cognitive measures, such as the MMSE or Trails B, nor did it show significant effects on cognitive function in men.
The study suggests that while egg consumption may help preserve certain cognitive abilities in older women, it does not have a broad impact on overall cognitive health and may mostly be beneficial for women’s health. Further research, particularly with longer follow-up periods and diverse populations, is needed to explore these findings further.
Ginger thought to counteract screentime
A study, discussed in the article “Screen saver: Ginger extract may offer relief from prolonged display-related symptoms” evaluated the effects of ginger extract on ocular and peripheral blood flow, meaning the distribution of blood within the eye, as well as its potential to reduce eye fatigue and shoulder stiffness. A total of 100 healthy participants, aged between 20 and 73 years and experiencing symptoms of eye fatigue and shoulder stiffness, were involved. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or ginger extract capsules daily for eight weeks. The study measured ocular and peripheral blood flow, eye fatigue, shoulder stiffness, body warmth, and muscle stiffness at baseline, week four, and week eight.
The results showed that ginger did not improve ocular blood flow, however, it supported peripheral blood flow in deep vessels, particularly in females under the age of 51. These younger females also reported improvements in eye fatigue and shoulder stiffness. On the other hand, males aged 51 and older experienced an increase in body warmth due to ginger consumption. There were no significant changes in shoulder muscle stiffness across the groups.
Ginger's primary active compounds, gingerols, shogaols, and zingerones, are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which might contribute to these observed benefits.
The findings highlight the potential of ginger to support eye health, through its effects on peripheral blood flow and alleviate discomfort associated with eye strain and shoulder tension, which are common issues among individuals who frequently use screens such as computers and smartphones. However, further research is needed to explore these benefits across different age groups and under various clinical conditions.
Mother’s gut health in pregnancy linked to baby brain development
A recent study, as reported in the article “Mother's gut microbiome during pregnancy shapes baby's brain development“ has revealed that the bacteria Bifidobacterium breve in the mother’s gut during pregnancy plays a crucial role in supporting the healthy development of the foetal brain. The research involved comparing foetal brain development in subjects with no gut bacteria to those whose mothers were given Bifidobacterium breve supplements during pregnancy.
The study found that nutrient transport to the brain increased in foetuses of mothers who had taken Bifidobacterium breve. Suggesting that gut health is an important component of conception support. In addition, beneficial changes were observed in other cellular processes related to growth.
The health of a mother's gut microbiome can be influenced by factors such as obesity or chronic stress, which may result in foetal growth abnormalities. Up to 10% of first-time mothers experience low birth weight or foetal growth restriction in their babies. These conditions can increase the risk of cerebral palsy in infancy and lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, autism, and schizophrenia later in life.
The findings suggest that improving foetal brain development through Bifidobacterium breve supplementation or monitoring gut health during pregnancy could promote healthier outcomes for babies. This approach might offer options for managing foetal growth restriction, potentially focusing on enhancing maternal gut.
Researchers plan to conduct further studies to monitor post-birth brain development and explore how Bifidobacterium breve interacts with other gut bacteria.
This research highlights the importance of the maternal microbiome in supporting foetal brain development, suggesting a new avenue for clinical studies focused on maternal and children’s health.
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Alison is the Founder of Metabolics who writes about Metabolics updates, events and natural healthcare. Her experience and passion for natural supplements and healthcare comes from her years of experience as a practising osteopath, having founded Metabolics in her search for high quality, natural products in her own work. Alison has been a qualified and practising Osteopath since 1981 and regularly gives seminars on a range of healthcare subjects to the wider practitioner community helping share her knowledge and experience.