MONDAY, July 7, (News Locale) - Tofu has always been advocated as a healthy product - so much so that it is considered to be an alternative source of protein for people who do not consume meat. New research now indicates excess tofu consumption may in fact raise the risk of memory loss in elderly individuals. 

Researchers at Loughborough and Oxford Universities working in collaboration with their Indonesian counterparts examined the dietary habits particularly tofu consumption of 719 Indonesian people ages 52 to 98.

People who ate tofu at least once a day were found to have an increased risk of dementia or memory loss. This risk was especially high in people in their 60s. The researchers report tofu has high levels of plant hormones called phytoestrogens, the effects of which are identical to female sex hormone estrogen.

Lead researcher Professor Eef Hogervorst revealed that phytoestrogens may promote the growth of new cells, something which is not desirable in the brains of the elderly. High doses of these nutrients may also augment the damage caused by free radicals. Some experts say the damage may be due to formaldehyde, which is used as a preservative in Indonesia.

The study, funded by Alzheimer's Research Trust, however found that eating a fermented soy product called as tempe may help achieve better memory. Tempe contains high levels of vitamins called folate and its beneficial effect on memory could be attributed to these vitamins.

The researchers stressed more research was needed to assess the impact of tofu consumption on dementia and conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

Phytoestrogens are known to protect the brains of young and middle aged people because of their similarity to estrogen, according to previous studies. However the impact of these micronutrients on the aging brain is not yet clear. If the above study is any indication, older individuals may do well to shun tofu or at least reduce their consumption.