Eating spinach like Popeye won't just make you stronger — it may protect you from dementia, a study suggests.
People with high levels of three key antioxidants in their blood are less likely to get the memory-robbing disorder, researchers found.
Two of the compounds — lutein and zeaxanthin — are abundant in leafy green veg, as well as peas.
Oranges and papaya are major sources of the other, beta-cryptoxanthin.
Lead researcher Dr May Beydoun, an expert in aging from the US National Institutes of Health, said: 'Extending people's cognitive function is an important public health challenge.
'Antioxidants may help protect the brain from oxidative stress, which can cause cell damage.'
But she added that more studies are needed to test whether the antioxidants really 'can help protect the brain from dementia'.
Researchers at the US National Institutes of Health found that for every increase in levels of lutein, zeaxanthin levels and beta-cryptoxanthin reduces the risk of suffering from dementia. Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in green, leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli and peas
Eating spinach like Popeye (pictured) won't just make you stronger — it may protect you from dementia. That is, if new research is to be believed. Researchers have found people with high levels of three antioxidants in their blood are less likely to get the memory-robbing disorder
The study itself, published in the journal Neurology, did not actually look at the diets of volunteers.
However, scientists have long-advocated that a healthy diet can ward off dementia by boosting heart and circulatory health — both of which are known to play a role in the disease.
As well as through diet, people can bolster their blood levels of the three compounds by taking supplements.
Dr Beydoun and colleagues analysed blood samples of more than 7,000 Americans.
All of the participants were aged at least 45 and also underwent a physical exam and interview at the beginning of the study.
They were then monitored for 16 years, on average, so experts could track the rates of dementia.
Participants were divided into three groups based on their level of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin in their blood.
