A daily cup of tea may help older people enjoy better health in old age; However, if you are not a tea drinker, there are other things you can add to your diet.
The key is flavonoids, which are natural substances found in many common foods and beverages, such as: Black and green tea, apples, nuts, citrus, berries and other plant foods.
These foods have long been known to have many health benefits; However, new research from Edith Cowan University (Australia) suggests they may be even better for us than previously thought.
The Heart Foundation supported a study of 881 older women (average age 80) and found that it was very Decreased likelihood of extensive accumulation of abdominal aortic calcification (CAA) if they consume high levels of flavonoids in their diet.
Tea and flavonoids prevent calcification of the aorta
Calcification of the abdominal aorta, the largest artery in the body that supplies oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the abdominal organs and lower extremities is a predictor of cardiovascular risk, such as heart attack and stroke.
It has also been found to be a reliable predictor of dementia in later life.
Study leader Ben Parmenter, a researcher at ECU’s Health and Nutrition Innovation Research Institute, said there were many dietary sources of flavonoids, but few had particularly high amounts.
“In most populations, a small set of foods and beverages, exceptionally rich in flavonoids, contribute to the total dietary intake of flavonoids,” he said.
“The main contributors are usually Black or green tea, blueberries, strawberries, oranges, red wine, apples, raisins/grapes, and dark chocolate.”
flavonoid family
There are many different types of flavonoids, such as flavan-3-ols and flavonols, Which also appears to correlate with AAC according to studies.
study participants who had higher intakes of total flavonoids, flavan-3-ols, and flavonols The chance of having extensive AAC is as low as 36 to 39 percent.
Black tea was the main source of total flavonoids in the study group and was also associated with significantly lower odds of comprehensive CAA.
Compared to respondents who didn’t drink tea, participants who drank two to six cups a day were 16 to 42 percent less likely to have extensive AAC.
However, some other dietary sources of flavonoids, such as fruit juice, red wine, and chocolate, do not show a significant beneficial association with CAA.
not just black tea
Although black tea was the main source of flavonoids in the study, possibly due to the age of the participants, Parmenter noted that people can benefit from flavonoids even without turning on the kettle.
“Women who do not drink black tea also appear to have lower total intake of non-tea flavonoids Protect against widespread calcification of the arteries,” Said.
“This implies that flavonoids from sources other than black tea may protect against CAA when the tea is not consumed.” Dr Parmenter said this was important because it allows non-tea drinkers to continue to benefit from the flavonoids in their diet.
“For other populations or groups of people, such as young men or people from other countries, black tea may not be the main source of flavonoids,” he said.
“CAA is an important predictor of vascular disease, And this study shows that intake of flavonoids, which may protect against CAA, is easily achievable in most people’s diets.”
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