Eating one food twice a week could slash your Alzheimer's risk, study finds

A new study has found it could help fight Alzheimer's disease - and Professor Tim Spector is a big fan of the common kitchen favourite

Your full English breakfast could be doing more for your health than you realise, as research has uncovered a surprising ally in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. Scientists have made a first-of-its-kind link between the consumption of one particular food and a reduced risk of developing the condition.

The groundbreaking study followed over 1,000 participants, with an average age of 81, for several years. Preliminary results found that consuming more than one serving per week was associated with a 47% lower risk of developing the disease. The unlikely hero? Eggs.

The study, published in The Journal of Nutrition, highlighted the benefits of eggs' choline, omega-3 fatty acids, and lutein content - all of which have been previously shown to support brain health and even enhance verbal test performance. However, this is the first time a connection has been suggested with Alzheimer's prevention.

The research suggests that eating more than one egg a week can reduce your Alzheimer's risk. The researchers also referenced a 2021 study that observed a slower rate of memory decline in those who consumed at least one egg per week. It's thought that this benefit is specifically due to the natural choline content in eggs, choline being a nutrient that plays a crucial role in the brain and nervous system. Further research is currently being conducted to delve deeper into the neurological benefits of eggs.

Taylor Wallace, the study's lead author, commented to say: "Eggs are one of the few commonly consumed foods that are naturally rich in choline, a nutrient that we are researching to further understand its role in supporting both cognitive development in infants and young children and maintenance during the aging process. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that dietary choices can have a significant impact on reducing the risk of Alzheimer's dementia and supporting lifelong cognitive health."

However, opinions in the medical world remain split. A 2022 study by IDIBELL and ICO suggested that while eggs might lower dementia risk, this benefit could be influenced by other dietary factors. Specifically, those adhering to a Mediterranean diet - which is already known to promote brain health - might not see additional advantages from egg consumption, possibly because their diet provides similar nutritional benefits to the brain.

Eggs have long been promoted for their health benefits. In Britain, a government campaign in the 1950s urged people to 'go to work on an egg'.

Professor Tim Spector, co-founder of the Zoe personal nutrition company, is a big fan. He told the Telegraph in 2023: “Eggs are a fantastic, nutrient-rich food that provides nearly all of the essential vitamins and proteins.

“One egg every day can make a great contribution to the overall diet, particularly in areas where access to food and overall nutritional status is more likely to be lower.”

He said in a choice between an apple a day, a glass of milk a day, or an egg a day, there was only one winner. He told the paper: “Out of the three, I would choose eggs.

“Too much of our children’s energy in the UK comes from Ultra Processed Foods, as high as 70 per cent of daily calorie intake, and this has to change if we want to raise healthy, happy people.”