Brussels sprouts used to combat dementia
The nutrient is also found in carrots, spinach and tomatoes, and other vitamin A-rich vegetables.
Teams from the universities of Durham and Aberdeen are making a pill made up of a supercharged version of the nutrient, and have confirmed that trials on humans could be rolled out in the next 24 months.
Brussel sprouts alone won't prevent dementia but Professor Peter McCaffery, of the University of Aberdeen, explains that by harnessing the vitamin A, strides can be made in tackling diseases like Alzheimer's.
"When we eat Brussels sprouts it increases the amount of this acid in the brain," he said.
"We are not saying doubling your portion of sprouts over Christmas will stop you getting Alzheimer's. That would be the wrong message. But they are good for the body, so that means they are good for the brain. The compound we are developing works on exactly the same receptors as the acid from Brussels sprouts.
"The evidence is it will boost the number of neurons and the connections between them."
source: www.tv3.ie
