Author: Mark Velov
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
A high-fiber diet stimulates intestinal bacteria, which produce fatty acids such as butyrate, which slows brain aging.
Fiber is a good helper for the brain, as it reduces inflammation, which leads to increased attention, concentration, slowing down the aging of the brain and increasing the ability to produce new brain cells.
Research at the University of Illinois examines how eating fiber slows brain aging. The study authors commented that microglia are a major type of immune cell in the brain that can become inflamed over the years.
Inflammation of the microglia is one of the main causes of memory loss and cognitive decline in old age. This is one of the reasons why memory fades over time. Other causes of increased levels of inflammation in the brain are toxins.
An animal test has also been performed, according to which a high-fiber diet reduces inflammation of the gut and microglia of the brain. The researchers studied 50 genes in the microglia and found that inflammation in adult animals had dropped dramatically.
When we eat a diet rich in fiber, the good bacteria in the gut are stimulated and nutrients such as fatty acids are produced : acetate, propionate and butyrate, the latter being the most important. Butyrate is said to have anti-inflammatory properties on microglia.
People cannot consume sodium butyrate directly because of its harmful odor. The only way to get it is to eat more soluble fiber. Experts comment that women should consume between 21 and 25 grams of fiber per day, and men between 30 and 38 grams.
Fiber is also called fiber or fiber. Foods rich in fiber are: broccoli, artichokes, nuts, oats, legumes, whole grain bread and more. It is important to know that foods that are high in fat are low in fiber.
Researchers say the trend is for older people to consume less dietary fiber than recommended. Experts advise to consume fiber more often, as insufficient amount can have negative consequences for inflammation of the brain and body.