Tofu Makes You Senile

According to research, tofu and other foods high in micronutrients called phyestrogens may promote dementia and memory loss in the elderly.

True to their namesake, phyestrogens have a lot in common with the female hormone, estrogen, which prior research suggests has a hand in damaging "free radicals" and promoting cell growth -- both of which are bad for aging brains, and precursors to cancer. While some research suggests that whatever chemical reactions are caused are actually healthy for younger people, scientists admit that foods like tofu are complex and contain a lot of elements which could have an impact later in life.

Further, the research was conducted in India, where formaldehyde is often used as a preservative, leading some to conclude that this could be the damaging factor in-play.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008