July 7 - People who eat high levels of some soy products, including tofu and other so-called 'superfoods', may be at an increased risk of memory loss.
Scientists from the Universities of Loughborough and Oxford, funded by the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, worked with Indonesian colleagues to investigate the effects of high soy consumption in 719 elderly Indonesians living in urban and rural regions of Java.
The researchers’ findings, to be published in ‘Dementias and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders’ later this month, include evidence that a high consumption of tofu is associated with worsening memory, particularly among people aged 68 or older.
Lead researcher, Professor Eef Hogervorst of Loughborough University said: “Soy consumption is on the increase in the West and is often promoted as a ‘superfood’. Soy products are rich in micronutrients called phytoestrogens, but it is not entirely clear what their effect on the aging brain is.
“They have similar effects to oestrogen which may offer neuroprotection to the middle-aged and young but not to over 65s for whom it could heighten risk of dementia and lower memory function.”
Intriguingly, the researchers also found that consuming tempe, a fermented soy product made from whole soy bean, is associated with better memory.
Professor Hogervorst said the beneficial effect of tempe might be related to its high levels of folate, which is known to reduce dementia risk.
“It may be that that the interaction between high levels of both folate and phytoestrogens protects against cognitive impairment.”
Professor Hogervorst said future studies would investigate how folate or folic acid combined with phytoestrogens protects against memory dysfunction in the elderly.
Professor Hogervorst cautioned that the effects of tempe and tofu were most apparent in elderly Javanese people, so it is not clear how the findings relate to soy intake among all other ethnic groups. An earlier study found that older Japanese American men were also at increased risk of dementia with high tofu consumption.
Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust said: “This study adds to our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. Further research is needed to understand the full potential, and risks, of these ‘superfoods’.
“This kind of research into the causes of Alzheimer’s could lead scientists to new ways of preventing this devastating disease. As over half a million people have Alzheimer’s in the UK today, there is a desperate need to find a new prevention or cure.”