BRAIN GAMES

A question appearing on Consumer Reports on Health asks, "Is it true that numerical games like Sudoku and KenKen can help protect the brain, and even stave off Alzheimer's disease.
   
   Their answer explains that age and genetics are the main determinants of a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.    Lifestyle factors such as a poor diet and lack of exercise may play a role as well.  A recent study of 294 adults, 55 years and over in the journal Neurology suggested that more frequent cognitive activity across a life-span may help slow cognitive activity.  Mental stimulates may improve the connections between brain cells and even help generate new nerve cells.  Such stimulation can come from games like crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and chess, or from hobbies such as diverse as reading, learning a new language, attending lectures, quilting, gardening or volunteering.

   Another question asks if drinking vegetable juice is as good for us as eating whole veggies.  You likely already know the answer,  "Aside from convenience vegetable juice doesn't offer any large advantage over eating whole vegetables.  However, many of the nutrients and fibre are lost when the pulp and skin are removed when we make it.  If you still want vegetable juice as part of your diet, choose fresh juice over processed drinks such as V8.  Remember that V8 has a great deal of sodium in it (650 milligrams to an 8 ounce serving and only 140 milligrams in the low sodium version.)