A Food You Already Have In Your Fridge Could Prevent Cognitive Decline in Women, Says New Study

Women have a 71 percent risk of experiencing cognitive impairment in their lifetimes, according to a 2020 study in SSM Population Health. 

What might that entail exactly? Mild cognitive impairment looks like forgetting, struggling to follow a conversation, having difficulty making decisions and other related symptoms.

While cognitive decline is a natural part of aging, it can be partially prevented by exercising, getting a shingles shot and sleeping on your left side. Even eating walnuts is beneficial for brain health.

And, according to an August 2024 study in Nutrients, there’s another food to add to your grocery list if you want to keep your brain sharp, and it’s found in the refrigerator section: eggs.

Related: How to Make Deviled Eggs 10x Cuter

Research Shows the Benefits of Eggs for Your Brain and Body

In this longitudinal study, the participants began eating eggs frequently and for a long period of time. Then, the researchers assessed their cognitive health. With the women, they found that regular egg consumption was linked to better semantic memory and executive functioning. Basically, those participants had less trouble remembering, handling problems and adapting to new situations.

Related: Here’s What Happens to Your Body if You Eat Eggs Every Day

The distinction wasn’t necessarily large, but that’s not surprising since food can’t completely eradicate or prevent cognitive decline, just mitigate or slow it. But that counts for something, right?

It’s important to note that we are talking about correlation here, which doesn’t mean causation. Other factors are at play, too, such as the participants’ general health habits and health histories. In other words, eating a bunch of eggs doesn’t necessarily mean someone’s brain will be in tip-top shape as they age.

Related: How to Tell if Your Eggs Are Bad, According to Food Experts

But, we know that eggs are also packed with beneficial nutrients such as protein and vitamins, and they’re even associated with better heart health. Plus, eggs can be delicious scrambled and thrown on a breakfast sandwich, or as a part of the TikTok-famous “egg flight.” It’s a win-win.

Now to the kitchen to whip up a tasty egg dish.

Next up: 

Related: ‘I’m a Neurologist—This is the Fruit I Eat Almost Every Day for Brain Health’

Sources

• Cognitive impairment in the U.S.: Lifetime risk, age at onset, and years impaired, SSM Population Health
• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Mayo Clinic
• Egg Consumption and 4-Year Change in Cognitive Function in Older Men and Women: The Rancho Bernardo Study, Nutrients