Miller Marshall G, Thangthaeng Nopporn, Poulose Shibu M, Shukitt-Hale Barbara
USDA-ARS Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Exp Gerontol. 2017 Aug;94:24-28. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2016.12.014. Epub 2016 Dec 21.
Population aging is leading to an increase in the incidence of age-related cognitive dysfunction and, with it, the health care burden of caring for older adults. Epidemiological studies have shown that consumption of fruits, nuts, and vegetables is positively associated with cognitive ability; however, these foods, which contain a variety of neuroprotective phytochemicals, are widely under-consumed. Surprisingly few studies have investigated the effects of individual plant foods on cognitive health but recent clinical trials have shown that dietary supplementation with individual foods, or switching to a diet rich in several of these foods, can improve cognitive ability. While additional research is needed, increasing fruit, nut, and vegetable intake may be an effective strategy to prevent or delay the onset of cognitive dysfunction during aging.
人口老龄化正导致与年龄相关的认知功能障碍发病率上升，随之而来的是照顾老年人的医疗保健负担。流行病学研究表明，水果、坚果和蔬菜的摄入与认知能力呈正相关；然而，这些含有多种神经保护植物化学物质的食物普遍摄入不足。令人惊讶的是，很少有研究调查单一植物性食物对认知健康的影响，但最近的临床试验表明，补充单一食物或转而食用富含其中几种食物的饮食可以提高认知能力。虽然还需要更多的研究，但增加水果、坚果和蔬菜的摄入量可能是预防或延缓衰老过程中认知功能障碍发作的有效策略。
