A new study found that older people who eat more foods rich in flavonoids — like berries, colourful fruits and vegetables, tea, and dark chocolate — tend to stay healthier as they age.
These foods help reduce physical weakness and support mental health in people over 60.The research was conducted and published in one of the leading nutrition journals, where over 85, 000 individuals in the United States were examined based on their diets and health.
They indicate that eating more foods rich in flavonoids can lessen the chances of developing health issues that normally accompany the aging process.
The research revealed that Women consuming more of such foods were 15 percent less prone to developing weakness and their physical strength was 12 percent better.
Individuals also had a 12 percent reduced likelihood of having mental issues such as feeling sad or tired.
Flavonoids are natural herbal chemicals present in fruits such as blueberries, citrus fruits, tea, and green vegetables.
They decrease whole-body swelling, cushion the brain, enhance blood circulation, and maintain muscles firms.
Men and women both reported an improvement in their mental condition as they consumed more flavonoid rich foods.
But only women showed improvement in their physical health as they got older.
Scientists think this could be because of how the study was done or because men and women’s bodies work differently. They say more research is needed, especially on men, to understand the reason for this difference.
