Scientists have identified a compound in coffee that could be teamed up with caffeine to fight Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia—two currently incurable neurodegenerative disorders.The discovery, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests these two compounds combined may become a therapeutic option to slow brain degeneration.Prior research has shown that drinking coffee may reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.While caffeine has traditionally been credited as coffee’s special protective agent, coffee beans contain more than a thousand other compounds that are less well known.Researchers from Rutgers University in the US focused on a fatty acid derivative of the neurotransmitter serotonin, called EHT (Eicosanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamide), found in the bean’s waxy coating.They found that EHT protects the brains of mice against abnormal protein accumulation associated with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body In the current research, the team asked whether EHT and caffeine could work together for even greater brain protection.They gave mice small doses of caffeine or EHT separately as well as together.Each compound alone was not effective, but when given together they boosted the activity of a catalyst that helps prevent the accumulation of harmful proteins in the brain.This suggests the combination of EHT and caffeine may be able to slow or stop the progression of these diseases.Current treatments address only the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease but do not protect against brain degeneration.

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A new study now suggests that drinking a glass of orange juice every day could significantly lower one’s risk of getting dementia.

Researchers tracked almost 28,000 men for two decades to examine how their fruit and vegetable consumption affected their brain power.

 

Study found men who drank a small glass of orange juice were 47 per cent less likely to have difficulty remembering, following instructions or navigating familiar areas.

Lapses in memory, understanding and episodes of confusion can be early signs of brain decline which can ultimately lead to life-threatening dementia.

While there is no cure for the condition, scientists have been trying to find a cure for the memory-robbing disorder for years.

This new evidence reiterates the importance of a healthy diet in staving off the degeneration of the brain which comes with old age.

Lead study author Changzheng Yuan said long-term intake of veg, fruit and orange juice ‘may be beneficial’ for maintaining cognitive function.

Participants in the Harvard University study answered questionnaires about what they ate every four years.

Overall, 6.6 percent of men who ate the most veg developed poor cognitive function and performed badly on the tests, compared with 7.9 percent of men who ate the least.

Fruit consumption, overall, didn’t appear to influence the risk of moderate cognitive problems but drinking orange juice did, according to the research, published in the journal Neurology.

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