Dementia is a serious progressive syndrome linked to the ongoing decline of the brain. It is thought to affect almost one million people in the UK.
More prevalent among those over the age of 65, it can often be wrongly thought of as something that happens as we get older. However, there are a number of factors that can raise or lower your risk for dementia.
In fact, research has shown that four out of 10 dementia diagnoses are preventable, by making certain lifestyle changes. These include diet, exercise and whether you smoke among many others.
One expert revealed that chewing on a specific vegetable could actually lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia.
Speaking on social media platform TikTok, neuroscientist Robert Love, advised eating beetroot for this reason.
This is because the root vegetable can help protect against a bacteria called porphyromonas gingivalis, also known as P. gingivalis.
P. gingivalis is one of more than 700 bacterial species found in the oral cavity. It can cause gum disease and has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease in research.
Robert explained: “So what happens is when our mouth is unhealthy, this can support a bacteria called P. gingivalis.
“This bacteria is often found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
“This bacteria actually increases inflammation, increases inflammation in the mouth, causing something called gingivitis, which you’ve heard about.
“It can also increase inflammation in the brain or neuro inflammation.
“This is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. So your mouth health affects your brain health.”
To help prevent this, he said: “Eat foods that are really good for your mouth bacteria, like beets.
“Chew your beets. This is terrific for your mouth.”
This advice was backed by a study published in Redox Biology journal in 2019.
It found that drinking beetroot juice, which is rich in inorganic nitrate, promotes the growth of oral bacteria that are associated with better cognitive health, as well as cardiovascular health, among older people.
The study said: “These nitrate-sensitive oral microbiome modules are proposed as potential pre- and probiotic targets to ameliorate age-induced impairments in cardiovascular and cognitive health.”
To boost your oral health, Robert also recommended flossing regularly and cutting out processed sugar from your diet.
“That’s really bad for your mouth bacteria,” he added.
According to the NHS you can lower your risk for dementia by:
- Eating a balanced diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
- Keeping alcohol within recommended limits
- Stopping smoking
- Keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level.
