Eating about one serving of green leafy vegetables daily is associated with slower brain aging, according to a robust study. Participants consuming at least one serving per day showed slower declines in memory and cognitive tests compared to those who rarely ate them—equivalent to being 11 years younger cognitively.
The research followed 960 dementia-free adults averaging 81 years old for 4.7 years. They reported dietary habits via questionnaire and underwent annual cognitive assessments.
Vegetables tracked included spinach, kale, and lettuce. Participants were grouped into quintiles by intake: the highest averaged 1.3 servings daily, the lowest just 0.1.
Cognitive scores declined at 0.08 standardized units yearly overall. High consumers declined slower at 0.05 units—a gap equating to 11 years less aging—even after adjusting for smoking, hypertension, obesity, education, and activity levels.
