Copper for a smarter you? Study finds this mineral may boost brain health as you age
What did the study actually find?
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Select a Course Category
Artificial Intelligence
PGDM
Degree
Design Thinking
MCA
Finance
Digital Marketing
MBA
CXO
healthcare
others
Data Science
Data Science
Cybersecurity
Public Policy
Operations Management
Data Analytics
Healthcare
Leadership
Technology
Project Management
Product Management
Others
Management
Skills you'll gain:
Duration:
7 Months
S P Jain Institute of Management and Research
CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India
Starts on
undefined
Get Details
A new study from China's Hebei Medical University links higher copper intake in older adults to better cognitive function. While the results are preliminary, they provide new insights into aging and brain health.
Researchers analyzed data from over 2,400 seniors in the United States and discovered that those who consumed approximately 1.22 mg of copper per day performed better on brain tests. More research is needed to confirm this link.
ALSO READ:
Salt Typhoon breach triggers nationwide alert — are US military networks compromised?
Live Events
The recent study found a significant correlation between older adults' diets and improved cognitive function.
In a study conducted by a team from Hebei Medical University in China, which examined diet and health data for 2,420 adults in the United States who were 60 years of age or older, it was discovered that a higher copper intake was associated with improved cognitive function, as per a report by Science Alert.
Although there was a threshold point beyond which more copper doesn't appear to provide any additional benefits, people with higher copper intakes scored significantly higher than those with lower copper intakes across a number of measures.
How reliable are the results?
"The current study indicates a potential association between dietary copper intake and enhanced cognitive function in American older adults, particularly among those with a history of stroke," the authors of the paper write.
"An ideal copper intake level was proposed by dose-response analysis, with an inflection point of roughly 1.22 mg daily. Nevertheless, additional longitudinal research is required to validate these results. And that addresses some of the study's main shortcomings.
ALSO READ:
Harvest Rosemary the right way — keep your plant thriving all year with these easy tips
The researchers estimated the participants' copper intake by asking them twice to report everything they had eaten in the previous 24 hours. Only a moment in time is provided, and self-reporting biases may be introduced.
Studies that track participants over a number of years and take more precise measurements of their copper intake would be necessary to conduct additional research.
Therefore, we cannot claim that there is a clear cause-and-effect link in this case. But the statistical strength of the association justifies more research. Furthermore, it is consistent with other research that found copper to be beneficial to the brain. We are aware that it guards against harm and facilitates neuronal communication and energy production in the brain.
Therefore, the study's findings are not shocking. They do, however, assist in determining a "sweet spot" for copper consumption and quantifying the benefits of copper across a sizable aged population and a variety of cognitive tests.
"Though copper is necessary for proper functioning of the brain, and deficiencies can lead to neurological disorders, excessive copper can be toxic, leading to oxidative stress and neurodegeneration," the investigators write.
Where do we get copper in our diets?
The daily dosage of 1.22 mg is comparable to a bowl of lentils or a handful of walnuts. Unbelievably, a variety of foods, such as oysters, potatoes, dark chocolate, wheat bran, and mushrooms, contain copper.
Micronutrients like magnesium, iron, selenium, zinc, and copper are gaining attention due to their potential role in maintaining cognitive function as people age. This is in addition to what has already been found in research on diet and good aging.
Though diet is by no means the only component, it is evident that our diet has a significant impact on the health of our brains. Improvements in the prevention and treatment of the brain issues that typically accompany aging can be facilitated by research such as this.
FAQs
How much copper could improve brain function?
The study found that taking approximately 1.22 mg per day provided the most benefit.
Where do I get copper from food?
Lentils, dark chocolate, walnuts, and mushrooms are excellent sources.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Must train moms to detect danger signs in newborn: KGMU study
Lucknow: More than half the number of mothers (55.76%) lack adequate knowledge about danger signs in newborn babies such as infections, fever, low body temperature, jaundice and noisy breathing—symptoms that may indicate mild to severe illness. Providing mothers this essential information can help ensure timely treatment and prevent avoidable deaths. A study conducted by the pediatrics department at King George's Medical University, led by Prof Shalini Tripathi, found improvement in mothers' ability to recognise potential health risks in their newborn babies after receiving targeted educational intervention. Published in the International Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatology in Jun 2025, the study focused on mothers of newborns (0–28 days old) admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Nursery Unit at KGMU. Researchers Amrita Singh, Suchana Roy Bhowmik and Anugrah Charan from the same department were also part of the study. The research team used a quasi-experimental approach involving 113 mothers. Their initial knowledge was assessed, followed by an educational session using a specially designed mini-booklet. Follow-up assessments on the second and fifth days measured the impact. Results showed significant increase in mothers' knowledge scores after the intervention. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The sustained improvement indicated efficacy of the programme. Prof Shalini said this knowledge was crucial, as delays in seeking medical care were major cause of neonatal deaths in UP. According to National Health and Family Growth Survey, 28 newborns per 1,000 live births in the state die within a month of birth. "The neonatal period is highly vulnerable, and early recognition of warning signs is critical for a newborn's outcome," said Prof Tripathi, adding, "Our study shows educational intervention can help mothers seek timely care, potentially improving survival rates for sick newborns." She added, "These findings highlight value of structured education. When mothers understand danger signs, they are more likely to seek prompt institutional care, which is crucial to reducing newborn illness and deaths." The study also found that factors such as a mother's education, number of postnatal visits and prior exposure to health information influenced initial awareness. Mothers with higher education and more contact with healthcare services showed greater improvement.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Med error didn't hit patient, no payout'
Sabita Rastogi had approach-ed the National Consumer Commission against Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, and Dr Ritabh Kumar, a senior orthopaedic consultant. Her grievance was regarding the surgery for correction of a deformity known as Hallux Valgus (or Bunion Deformity), which affected both her feet. After regaining consciousness, she complained that her big toe had not been corrected; the second toe was elevated and deviating; and there was complete numbness in her left foot. She was informed that these were temporary effects due to incision and anaesthesia. She was discharged after two days before the wounds had healed. Subsequently, a proper dressing was done during followup, but Rastogi claimed that her condition had worsened due to fluid leakage and crusted fluid around the scars. She remained in pain for months and was dependent on painkillers due to the screw implanted in her joint, which continued to cause distress until it was eventually removed by another specialist. She also pointed out that negligence was clear as her blood group was recorded as O +ve even though it was O -ve. So she alleged negligence and deficiency in service. The hospital and the surgeon denied the allegations, stating that accepted medical practices had been followed while conducting the procedure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The intended correction was limited only to the big toe, and had been achieved. The deformity in the second toe was already present prior to surgery, but it became more conspicuous after the correction of the big toe, and this had been explained during the preoperative counselling and consent process. . The Commission noted that the proper procedure had been followed after explaining the risks and obtaining informed consent. Also, there was no negligence in postoperative care. As regards the incorrect blood group, the Commission held that there was no actionable negligence. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
US life expectancy vs. the world in 2025: Where do Americans stand?
Walk into just about any American coffee shop these days, and odds are the conversation skips right from politics to TikTok trends to – you guessed it – the cost of healthcare, the outbreak of the day, or someone's complicated insurance story. But lurking beneath all these headlines and gripes lies a stubborn, unshakable fact: in 2025, Americans simply don't live as long as citizens in dozens of other high-income countries. If you're an average American baby born this year, you're expected to live about 78 years. That sounds fine, maybe even good to some ears, but step outside US borders even just over to Canada or across the United Kingdom and it's abundantly clear: Americans are living shorter lives than almost all their economic peers and, frankly, than millions of people in less wealthy parts of the world. So, what's going on? Let's take a look into what the latest data tells us about American longevity—and why, for all the tech innovations and world-class medical centers dotting the landscape, life expectancy here just keeps stagnating. How does US life expectancy measure up? First things first: life expectancy is the average number of years a newborn can expect to live under current mortality rates. In the US, that number hit a recent low after COVID-19 but has since bounced back a bit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Still, it's not keeping pace with history—or with the rest of the developed world. 2023 US life expectancy: 78.4 years Global Average (2025): 73.5 years Ranking: 48th globally (and slipping) Here's the kicker: the US is above the global average, but a few years below its 'peer' nations. Most of Western Europe, plus Japan, Australia, South Korea, and even some smaller nations like Monaco, enjoy life expectancies between 82 and 87 years. Americans are on average living about 3–5 years less than their economic peers, and as much as 8 years less than the world leaders. What the numbers really say The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes the latest stats for the US: Both sexes: 78.4 years (2023 data) Males: 75.8 years Females: 81.1 years By comparison, Canada, France, Japan, and even the UK all clock in well above the US average. WHO (World Health Organization) data lines up: no matter which authority you check, the trend is the same. America's rank in the longevity league So where does that put the US? In 48th place (as per several reports) and, according to the latest forecasts by World Population Review, likely to drop even further down the list by 2050. Other wealthy nations, meanwhile, continue to inch higher, sometimes gaining years while the US just creeps forward months at a time. Peer nations growing faster: For example, Japan, Korea, Portugal, the UK, and Italy already clock in at 80+ years and counting. US trend is stagnating: Some projections put the US at 80.4 years—in 2050. That's nearly a quarter-century just to gain a single year. Why is the US lagging behind? If you spent any time in a US health economics classroom, you might echo this refrain: Americans spend more—way more—on healthcare than anyone else, but live shorter lives. Why? Here's where things get sticky (and let's be real, infuriating). According to the CDC and public health research, several chronic and acute challenges conspire to keep US life expectancy low: Cardiovascular disease and obesity: Rates here dwarf those in peer nations. Diabetes: A chronic and costly epidemic. "Diseases of despair": Suicide, alcoholism, and drug overdoses hit the US particularly hard. Maternal and infant mortality: Above-average for a wealthy nation. Motor vehicle fatalities: Still shockingly high. Healthcare disparity: Insurance rates, cost barriers, and uneven healthcare access. Socioeconomic inequality: Health outcomes dramatically vary by income, ZIP code, and racial group. Americans are living shorter, sicker lives even as the country outspends rivals on everything from advanced surgeries to high-end drugs. Comparing to the UK and peers: A stark gap Let's pause and zero in on a particularly telling comparison: the United States vs. the United Kingdom. Recent investigative reports by Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health deliver this sobering headline: Americans live years less than the Brits. Leading causes of excess US deaths: Heart disease, drug overdoses, infant and maternal deaths What really stands out isn't just the small year-by-year difference. It's the long-term trend: since the 1980s, America's trajectory has flatlined, while Europe trudges upward—even through its own crises. Why? Policy differences: Universal coverage, safety nets, and regenerative social programs in the UK and Europe often make healthier choices easier and provide fallback care when disaster strikes. Public health investment: The UK spends less on care, but more on prevention and community wellness. Digging into health habits and policy differences If you're looking for 'silver bullet' explanations, the data won't cut you any slack. It's death by a thousand small problems, and they're entangled: Diet: Appallingly high processed food consumption, sugar-sweetened beverages, and ultra-processed snacks. Exercise: Sedentary lifestyles prevail, especially among kids and teens. Addiction: A toxic brew of widespread opioid, meth, and alcohol abuse. Overdose rates have reached devastating levels. Mental health: Underfunded and stigmatized, pushing more people into crisis and self-harm. Healthcare Coverage: Insurance gaps, high out-of-pocket costs, and rural hospital closures remain endemic. Environmental factors: Pockets of heavy pollution and 'food deserts.' As the CDC points out, even American children today face a 1-in-5 shot at developing obesity before adulthood, foreshadowing future medical costs and mortality. What would it take for America to catch up? Public health experts and studies converge on a short list of must-dos: Tackle chronic disease: Expand access to preventive screening, healthy foods, and physical activity. Address the opioid crisis: Investment in mental health and addiction treatment. Make healthcare universal and affordable: Reduce insurance and cost barriers. Maternal and infant health: More prenatal care, family leave, and education. Tackle poverty and inequality: Social safety nets, fair wages, and safer housing. Without bolder national action—and strong local follow-through—these gains will remain elusive. America's health gap is no longer a technical problem; it's a political, social, and moral one. Other countries have shown it's fixable, but it takes serious willpower and the humility to learn from others. The question for the next generation, then, is simple: Will we keep coasting along on what's left of the old American advantage, or finally tackle the causes behind our shorter lives? For now, the world's watching and, to tell the truth, living longer. References: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health CDC – Life Expectancy Data Briefs WHO Data: United States
