Another reason to eat your greens (and reds and yellows)

Centr has partnered with Lifespan.io, a nonprofit leader in longevity science journalism and advocacy, to bring you the latest research on aging and rejuvenation. Learn more about our partnership below.

Sorry to break it to you, but your parents were right all along. Turns out, fruit and vegetables are good for you – especially as you get older.

You probably know the benefits of a diet rich in fruit and veggies when it comes to your body. But this meta-analysis of population studies sheds light on the impact of fruits and vegetables on brain health. Here are our top 3 takeaways:

1. More is more. The study found a clear connection between eating fruit and vegetables and reduced chance of cognitive impairment and dementia – and the more people ate, the better their odds.
2. Fruit is good, veggies might be better. Analyzed separately, both fruit and vegetables had brain health benefits, but vegetables appeared to have the edge.
3. Better results in China. Researchers found that the impact of eating more fruit and vegetables was bigger on Chinese subjects than in Westerners, which they think could be attributed to healthier cooking methods or better overall quality of the average Chinese diet. They also called out the higher presence of sugar and fat in the standard Western diet, which is linked to cognitive decline.

Keep in mind that this kind of populational analysis can show us interesting trends, they don’t guarantee fruits and vegetables will directly protect you against cognitive disorders.

But considering what we already know about their benefits, any way you slice it (and please feel free to slice them, dice them, or blend them in a smoothie), extra fruit and veg is an easy win.

Disclaimer: This Centr content is adapted with permission from an article written by Lifespan.io. The content herein represents Centr’s interpretation of the original source material.

Looking for more super fast well-being advice?

• Stronger together: 4 reasons to grab a workout buddy
• 4 research-backed benefits of deep breathing
• Try this hack for back pain & weak knees
• 3 amazing facts that prove movement is medicine