Do you want another reason to add green leafy vegetables into your diet? How does, ‘having a more efficient central nervous system and better visual function’ sound?
Dr. Billy R. Hammond recently gave a seminar to the University of Georgia Foods and Nutrition department, entitled “The influence of the macular carotenoids on the central nervous system.” Dr. Hammond works with carotenoids, which are pigments (color compounds) found in colorful fruits and vegetables.
What do carotenoids do?
Carotenoids are important antioxidant compounds. They can be found in high concentrations in the retina (the part of the central nervous system directly behind the eye) and in the brain. Both the brain and retina use a lot of energy, and because of this, are vulnerable to damage by dangerously reactive forms of oxygen. These reactive forms of oxygen are products created by normal cellular processes. Our bodies handle these destructive forms of oxygen by using antioxidants (such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and carotenoids) to cancel them out. Having carotenoids to work as antioxidants in these active parts of our bodies protects us from damage.
In addition to preventing damage, carotenoids help our central nervous system by improving the communication between nervous system cells (neurons). Because carotenoids improve the communication between neurons, then they, in theory, would make our central nervous system more efficient (or faster). A faster central nervous system could result in improved reaction time. Dr. Hammond has conducted several studies evaluating if carotenoid supplements make the central nervous system faster.
Do carotenoids make our central nervous system more efficient?
Using two types of carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, Dr. Hammond has studied the effects of supplemental carotenoids on vision and cognition in multiple groups of people. In a study of UGA baseball players, a population for which rapid visual processing is very important, the researchers found that lutein and zeaxanthin supplements improved visual processing and speed.
In other studies of both college-age students and adolescents, Dr. Hammond’s research team has found that lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation improved cognitive function and neural activity.
What does this information mean for you?
The standard American diet is very low in fruits and vegetables. When we don’t eat a variety of fruits and vegetables or take a supplement, we don’t get the carotenoids we need for efficient functioning of our central nervous system and vision. I think it is important for findings such as these not to be misinterpreted or blown out of proportion. The findings of Dr. Hammond’s work do not mean that Americans should eat carotenoids to become super smart humans with super hero vision. The findings do indicate that the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin play important roles in vision and cognition, and are worth including in your daily diet to support an efficient central nervous system.
You can increase your intake of lutein and zeaxanthin by incorporating leafy greens such as kale, spinach, swiss chard, mustard greens, turnip greens, or collards into your diet.
One of my favorite ways to eat kale is in kale apple salad. Here is a link to a recipe you can try: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013732-kale-salad-with-apples-and-cheddar
Enjoy!