{"id":68837,"date":"2025-07-17T03:15:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T03:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/68837\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T03:15:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T03:15:10","slug":"you-can-boost-your-brain-health-by-eating-more-of-this-metal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/68837\/","title":{"rendered":"You can boost your brain health by eating more of this metal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Afraid of getting rusty?<\/p>\n

New research<\/a> suggests increasing your dietary intake of a certain metal could give your brain a serious boost and might even help fend off cognitive decline as you age.<\/p>\n

But beware \u2014 too much can turn toxic. Luckily, Hebei Medical University think they\u2019ve found the sweet spot. <\/p>\n

Cognitive function is one of the most critical aspects of healthy aging. Getty Images\/iStockphoto<\/p>\n

In the study, researchers analyzed diet and health data collected from 2,420 Americans ages 60 and older over a four year period.<\/p>\n

They found those who consumed more copper in their daily diet scored significantly higher on cognitive tests than those with lower intake.<\/p>\n

The results held steady even after the team accounting for factors like age, sex, alcohol use and heart disease. The benefits appeared to be even greater for participants who\u2019d previously suffered a stroke. <\/p>\n

\u201cDietary copper is crucial for brain health,\u201d declared Professor Weiai Jia, the lead researcher of the study.<\/p>\n

Copper is a naturally occurring element and an essential nutrient the body needs for several functions.<\/p>\n

In their analysis, the scientists speculated that its brain benefits may come from copper\u2019s role in regulating neurotransmitters linked to learning, memory and alertness.<\/p>\n

Copper plays a critical role in brain functions crucial to memory and learning. Teeradej \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n

Past research<\/a> also shows copper helps generate energy in brain cells, protects them from damage and boosts communication between neurons.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s a catch: Too much copper doesn\u2019t add extra benefits \u2014 it can actually do more harm than good.<\/p>\n

\u201cThough copper is necessary for proper functioning of the brain, and deficiencies can lead to neurological disorders, excessive copper can be toxic<\/a>, leading to oxidative stress and neurodegeneration,\u201d the researchers wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Roughly 35 million adults experience some form of cognitive impairment. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n

This damage can disrupt brain function and contribute to the development of chronic health problems like Alzheimer\u2019s, Parkinson\u2019s and Wilson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n

Upon further analysis, the scientists found that 1.22 milligrams of dietary copper daily is enough to support your brain health and ward off cognitive decline without going overboard. <\/p>\n

The implications are significant, especially since research shows<\/a> nearly 10% of U.S. adults aged 65 and older have dementia<\/a>, with another 22% experiencing mild cognitive impairment. And those numbers are expected to rise in the coming years.<\/p>\n

Still, the researchers cautioned that additional long-term studies are needed to confirm their findings. <\/p>\n

Many nuts and seeds contain substantial amounts of copper. New Africa \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n

Want to boost your copper intake? Your body can\u2019t make it on its own, so you\u2019ve got to get it from your diet. <\/p>\n

Supplements are one option, but the mineral is also packed into a wide range of foods.<\/p>\n

Top sources of copper:<\/p>\n