A study by British scientists, published in the journal Nutrients, indicated that beetroot, owing to nitrates and betalains, might enhance brain blood supply and guard against Alzheimer’s disease. Specialists advocate for further clinical trials.
Beetroot could play a significant role not solely in maintaining the health of vessels and the heart, but also in boosting brain performance. In the research paper, released in the journal Nutrients, UK researchers performed an examination of numerous scientific works. They determined that compounds present in beetroot, such as nitrates, betalains, and polyphenols, have a favorable effect on circulation, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress, which matters for warding off Alzheimer’s illness.
Experiments conducted on cells and animals demonstrated that beetroot constituents bolster protective mechanisms of neurons, better mitochondrial function, and reduce the activity of inflammatory signals. In several small studies involving humans, consumption of beetroot drinks improved blood flow to brain areas most susceptible during cognitive decline. There is also epidemiological data: those who frequently consume vegetable nitrates encounter less rapid memory impairment progression.
Nevertheless, the paper’s authors point out that currently there is a lack of direct clinical confirmation of beetroot’s benefit for individuals afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, and that outcomes from various studies sometimes conflict.
Despite this, the researchers view beetroot as a promising and benign food item capable of influencing several factors in the disease’s development. They stress the necessity of undertaking large clinical trials to ascertain if this accessible vegetable can become a cornerstone in a strategy for protecting cognitive wellness.
It was previously reported that consuming concentrated beetroot juice lowered blood pressure in older adults.
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