Too much tofu linked to dementia

Scientists suggest that frequent consumption of certain soy products particularly tofu, increases the risk of developing memory loss.

According to a study published in Dementias and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, a soy-rich diet worsens memory function by 20 percent, particularly among individuals over 68 years of age.

Loughborough University researchers claim that soy products are rich in an estrogen-like hormone called phytoestrogen, a micronutrient that promotes cell growth in the ageing brain and therefore makes the elderly more prone to brain damage.

While previous studies had reported that phytoestrogens offer neuroprotection effects to the middle-aged and young, the present study reveals that they increase the risk of developing dementia and brain damage in the elderly.

Findings also show that eating tempe, a fermented soy product made from the whole soy bean, is associated with improved memory function, possibly due to its high folate content.


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