Ultimate Brain-Boosting Food Group For Children
Recent research presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting suggests that including soy in children’s diets may have positive effects on cognitive abilities. The study, led by Ajla Bristina, a doctoral student from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, focused on children aged 7 to 13. It found a correlation between higher intake of isoflavones, compounds abundant in soy products, and improved attention and cognitive performance. This correlation was observed through both cognitive tests and monitoring brain-wave activity during attention tasks.
The study analyzed data from 128 children, assessing their dietary intake using weeklong diet records to measure nutrients including isoflavones. Despite the relatively low average intake of isoflavones among participants, those who consumed more demonstrated faster responses to attention tasks and improved processing speed. Notably, while increased soy consumption appeared to enhance specific cognitive functions, such as attention and processing speed, it did not show a significant effect on overall intellectual ability.
Bristina highlighted the novelty of these findings, noting that soy foods are not commonly part of children’s diets in the U.S., suggesting potential benefits from increasing their consumption. Practical recommendations to achieve this include incorporating snacks like roasted edamame or soy nuts, and meals containing tofu, tempeh, or soy-based nuggets.
Looking forward, Bristina emphasized that further research is necessary to fully understand the impact of soy foods on children’s cognitive development. Future studies, including clinical trials, will be crucial in determining optimal levels of isoflavone intake for cognitive benefits and exploring broader health outcomes such as effects on metabolic health, gut health, and hormonal balance.
In response to these findings, Bristina’s team has already initiated a clinical trial to delve deeper into the health implications of soy consumption in children. This trial aims to provide more comprehensive insights into how soy foods may influence various aspects of children’s health beyond cognitive function.
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