Flavonoids, the naturally occurring plant chemicals that give many fruits and vegetables their bright colors, may play a role in protecting cognition, according to a Harvard study published online July 28, 2021, by Neurology. Scientists evaluated the self-reported diet and memory information of more than 77,000 middle-aged men and women, who were followed for 20 years. After accounting for factors that could have affected cognition (such as age, weight, physical activity, alcohol intake, depression, and intake of nutrients other than flavonoids), scientists found that people with the highest daily flavonoid intakes were 19% less likely to report trouble with memory and thinking, compared with people who had the lowest daily flavonoid intakes.

Harvard finds flavonoids linked to sharper thinking and memory - Harvard Health