The key facts

  • The study covered 1,917 people over the age of 60; the results were published in the Chinese Medical Journal.
  • The association persisted after accounting for age, sex, education and chronic diseases.
  • The authors note that the mechanism of the protective effect remains unclear and the study does not prove causality.

What the researchers found

Eating foods rich in lecithin may be associated with better brain function in older people and a lower risk of cognitive impairment. This is the conclusion reached by Chinese scientists who studied the diet and health of 1,917 people over the age of 60; the results were published in the Chinese Medical Journal (CMJ). Gazeta.Ru reports on this.

The role of lecithin and the study data

Lecithin is found, in particular, in eggs and soybeans. This fat-like nutrient participates in the functioning and maintenance of brain cells. It contains phosphatidylcholine — the main source of choline, from which acetylcholine is synthesized, a key neurotransmitter for memory, attention and the functioning of the nervous system.

Results and their limitations

The researchers assessed the amount of lecithin in the participants' diets and compared it with the results of cognitive tests and the presence of mild cognitive impairment — a condition in which memory and other abilities are already declining, but a person remains independent. People who consumed more lecithin had a significantly lower risk of such impairment and performed better on the tests. The association persisted after accounting for age, sex, education and chronic diseases. It was most noticeable among participants with lower levels of education: the scientists suggest that diet may play a particularly important role for this group in maintaining cognitive health.

What remains unclear

The authors note that lecithin is necessary for the normal functioning of brain cells, but the mechanism of its possible protective effect remains unclear. The findings do not prove that lecithin specifically prevents cognitive impairment: the study only shows an association between its consumption and brain health.