A raw study from University of Illinois researchers find that halfway - of age participants with higher stage of xanthophyll – a nutrient found in green leafy vegetables such as prickly-seeded spinach and simoleons , as well as avocado tree and egg — had neural response that were more on par with jr. individuals than with their equal . The findings were published in the daybook Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience .
Lutein deep foods like spinach plant and Brassica oleracea acephala are already favorites of those looking to stay physically set . But the new study shows that they also could keep consumers cognitively fit .
Most other studies have focused on older adults , after there has already been a time period of decline . The Illinois researchers chose to concentre on young to midway - aged adults to see whether there was a notable difference between those with higher and lower lutein levels .

As people get honest-to-god , they feel cognitive and physical decline . Research has show that this process can start early in life , with some difference as early as the 30s . Lutein is a food that the body ca n’t make on its own , so it must be produce through diet . Lutein accumulates in mentality tissues , but also accumulates in the eye , which allows researchers to measure levels without relying on trespassing techniques .
The Illinois researchers measured xanthophyll in the study participant ’ eyes by having participant look into a scope and respond to a flickering light . Then , using electrode on the scalp , the researchers measured neural activity in the genius while the participant perform a task that try attention .
The neuro - electrical signature of older participants with high levels of lutein looked much more like their younger counterparts than their match with less lutein . Lutein appear to have some protective role , since the information suggest that those with more lutein were able to enlist more cognitive resources to fill out the project .

Read the study here .
Other late research shows that xanthophyll also protect eyesight against damaging aristocratic light from figurer screens and roving phones . high lutein level are also associated with better heart wellness , and lower rates of several types of cancer . Lutein also reduce the risk of diabetes , and increases skin health .
What ’s not to like about lutein ?
Learn more about which of these lutein rich foods you may grow at domicile or buy next time you go to the grocery store .
Gardening Channel ’s listing of xanthophyl rich foods .
Lutein is one of more than 600 different carotenoid antioxidants . These are othercarotenoid racy vegetable you should believe supply to your dieting .
Do n’t limit yourself only to vegetable high in carotenoids , though . Polyphenols are also positively associate with health . Learn more about thesewell studied high polyphenol rich fruits and vegetables .