As the population ages, the fear of losing memory and mental agility gains ground in medical conversations… and in the supermarket aisles. More and more people over 60 are turning to “brain” supplements in hopes of curbing the cognitive impairment, although in many cases the scientific evidence behind these promises is limited or non-existent.
In parallel, research has been pointing out for years an unexpected actor in brain health: the intestine. The famous idea of the “gut-brain axis” maintains that what happens in the microbiota – the set of microorganisms that inhabit our digestive system – can influence mood, inflammation, and even cognitive performance. In this context, prebiotic fiber has gained prominence: It does not act on neurons, but on bacteria that, in turn, could modulate how the brain works.
Against this backdrop, a new study suggests that a gesture as simple as adding some daily fiber to the diet could have an impact on the memory of older people.
Twin trial links prebiotic fiber to better memory outcomes
Researchers at King’s College London conducted a clinical trial with 36 pairs of twins over 60 years of age to analyze the effect of two cheap, over-the-counter prebiotics on cognitive function. Each couple was divided at random: one of the brothers took a protein shake with inulin -fibers of plant origin that are used as prebiotics-. The other received a mixture identical in appearance and taste, but without these active ingredients (placebo).
After three months, The twins who had taken the prebiotic fiber daily scored better on a test of visual memory and learningthe same one that is used to early detect possible signs of Alzheimer’s. Additionally, the researchers observed subtle changes in the composition of the gut microbiota compared to their control group siblings, in line with what had been previously seen in animal studies.
The authors of the work emphasize that These are cheap, safe and accessible supplements, present in numerous products found in pharmacies and supermarkets. At the same time, they ask for caution: the trial is small, of short duration and with a majority of women, so larger and longer studies will be needed to confirm whether these effects are maintained over time and in more diverse populations.
Even so, the message that the study leaves is clear: taking care of the intestine with certain types of fiber could become one more piece – simple and acceptable. to protect memory in aging.