Avocados Could Improve Cognition in Older Adults

Eating one avocado a day could help to improve cognitive function in healthy older adults, according to the results of a recent study. The benefits stem from increased levels of lutein in the brain and eye.

Previous research has linked lutein, a substance found within avocados, to better cognition. Researchers conducted a 6-month, randomized, controlled trial of healthy adults who were randomly assigned to either consume 1 avocado (n=20) or 1 potato or cup of chickpeas (n=20) a day. Serum lutein, macular pigment density (MPD), and cognition were assessed at baseline, and 3 and 6 months.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At 6 months, avocado consumption was associated with a 25% increase in serum lutein letein levels and a 15% increase in the control group. MPD also increased in the avocado group and did not increase in the control group. Sustained attention, working memory, and efficiency in approaching a problem were also increased in participants who consumed avocados.

“This study is an example of how practical dietary choices can be of benefit to healthy aging. A dietary intervention with avocados was particularly effective in increasing MPD levels, a biomarker of brain lutein. Increases in MPD were related to better cognitive performance. Therefore, avocados could be an effective dietary strategy for cognitive health in the aging population,” the researchers concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Scott TM, Rasmussen HM, Chen O, Johnson EJ. Avocado consumption increases macular pigment density in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial [published online August 23, 2017]. Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu9090919.