For more than 55 million people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s across the world, there is a growing and urgent need for solutions to prevent or delay the condition which causes a decline in cognitive abilities that can affect a person's ability to perform everyday activities. It can include problems with memory, thinking, behaviour, and motor control.

And there is no doubt that good nutrition helps you improve your overall health and well-being, experts say the foods that you eat do matter for your brain health.

There has been particular interest in diets rich in vitamin C or antioxidant compounds that prevent or slow the damage to cells caused by oxidative stress. Studies say antioxidants are associated with the slowing of the development of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

According to doctors, antioxidants protect your body from free radicals that damage cells and are the main cause of Alzheimer’s disease. There are a lot of different antioxidants like beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, and resveratrol, which are found in plant foods like greens, berries, tea, and bell peppers.

Also, in animal studies, vitamin C supplements have been super beneficial in reducing amyloid plaque burden and ameliorating pathological changes in the brain of 5XFAD mice. Amyloid plaques are clumps of protein fragments called beta-amyloid that form in the spaces between nerve cells in the brain, and the breakdown of this protein leads to dementia.

According to experts, the only way to get Vitamin C in our system is by curating a diet that gives Vitamin C antioxidants, since your body does not produce it. Studies say the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C for men is 90 mg, and for women is 75 mg. And, to attain the required amount of Vitamin C, you can either turn to supplements or have them naturally through foods like

• Water-soluble fruits such as kiwi, orange, and strawberries
• Vegetables like kale, spinach, broccoli
• Plums
• Rosehips
• Chili peppers
• Guavas
• Black currants
• Cantaloupes
• Lychees
• Parsley
• Lemons

According to existing research, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, which increase the risk of developing dementia - are all rising in number.

The main symptoms of dementia include memory problems, loss of cognitive function and coordination, and personality changes. The most significant risk factor for dementia is ageing – more than 90 per cent of people with dementia are over 65 years of age, even though other factors are also involved.

Experts say there is currently no cure for dementia, and most treatments alleviate symptoms without slowing the progress of the disease.

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