Celery, Peppers Protect Memory

A plant compound called luteolin (loo-tee-oh-lin), prevalent in celery, carrots and peppers, inhibits the production of memory damaging inflammatory molecules in the brain, a new study finds. The researchers at the University of Illinois, who have spent nearly a decade researching the anti-inflammatory properties of plant compounds, were able to show that luteolin improves cognitive health by acting directly on specialized (microglial) cells to reduce their production of inflammatory molecules in the brain. Apparently, by eating the luteolin-rich diet, elderly mice in the Illinois study were able to regain the cognitive abilities of young mice. The reserch has not been duplicated in people, but in the meantime, it's yet another incentive to eat vegetables.