{"id":252617,"date":"2025-07-10T05:01:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T05:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/252617\/"},"modified":"2025-07-10T05:01:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T05:01:10","slug":"eating-more-copper-could-help-protect-against-dementia-say-scientists-the-5-cheapest-ways-to-get-more-in-your-diet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/252617\/","title":{"rendered":"Eating more COPPER could help protect against dementia, say scientists – the 5 cheapest ways to get more in your diet"},"content":{"rendered":"

WITH 152.8 million people estimated to have dementia by 2050, it’s vital people do what they can to prevent cognitive impairment. <\/p>\n

And eating plenty of foods from a specific food group could be part of that, say researchers. <\/p>\n

\"Person<\/a><\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

Copper is vital for several physiological functions within the human body – including brain health, according to new findingsCredit: Getty<\/p>\n

Dietary choices can influence the risk of developing dementia<\/a>. <\/p>\n

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and healthy fats, like those found in a Mediterranean-style diet<\/a>, is generally associated with a reduced dementia risk. <\/p>\n

While diets high in processed foods<\/a> and certain types of meat may increase a person’s likelihood of developing the disease. <\/p>\n

But now a new study has suggested specifically boosting copper in the diet could support sharper thinking in later life. <\/p>\n

Copper is vital for several physiological functions within the human body. <\/p>\n

It’s essential for energy production, connective tissue formation, and maintaining healthy blood vessels, nerves, and the immune system.<\/p>\n

But until now, the relationship between cognition and copper remains poorly understood. <\/p>\n

The study published in Scientific Reports<\/a> involved 2,420 participants with a mean age of 69.3 years and a BMI<\/a> of 29.2. <\/p>\n

Dietary copper intake was positively associated with cognitive test scores. <\/p>\n

And test scores increased with an increase in copper intake. <\/p>\n

Signs of dementia that might be missed<\/p>\n

These associations remained significant after adjusting for various covariates, such as age, gender, race-ethnicity, smoking<\/a> status, alcohol<\/a> status, hypertension<\/a>, and cardiovascular disease history. <\/p>\n

Copper’s potential brain benefits may stem from its role in making acetylcholine – a key neurotransmitter for learning and memory. <\/p>\n

However, the researchers noted further analyses would need to be carried out to corroborate these findings. <\/p>\n

Find out the most affordable sources of dietary copper below…<\/p>\n

Cheapest sources of dietary copper <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Legumes – lentils, chickpeas, adzuki beans, baked beans, and kidney beans<\/li>\n
  2. Dark leafy greens – spinach, kale, and Swiss chard<\/li>\n
  3. Potatoes and sweet potatoes <\/li>\n
  4. Whole grains – quinoa, oats, whole wheat spaghetti, wholemeal bread, and brown basmati rice<\/li>\n
  5. Nuts and seeds- almonds, cashews, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Other dietary sources of copper: <\/p>\n