Surprising way to ward off dementia

You know ‘good’ HDL cholesterol keeps your heart healthy, and now research reveals it does the same for your brain! In fact, Japanese scientists say high HDL levels slash dementia risk by as much as 64%. Here, the easy health boosters that protect against heart disease and help you retain all your happy memories.

Sip hot cocoa

Good news for chocolate lovers: Sip 2 mugs of hot cocoa daily, and a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found you’ll up your “good” cholesterol by 24%. Researchers credit cocoa compounds called flavonoids with the heartsmart effect. What’s more, Appalachian State University scientists say folks who enjoy 25 grams of dark chocolate (about four squares) daily have better memories and multitasking ability than those who don’t indulge.

Dig into dip

Try swirling your carrot sticks into yogurt mixed with extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic and sea salt. Greek scientists say eating 11⁄2 to 2 Tbs. of EVOO daily increases HDL levels 50%. And research out of Temple University suggests olive oil’s polyphenols reduce harmful, dementia-triggering brain proteins by as much as 60%.

Grab your slippers

On TV commercial breaks, dash upstairs for your slippers. Just 8 minutes of stair climbing daily releases a hormone that Ohio State University scientists say helps raise HDL by 12%. Plus, 20 minutes of exercise daily cuts Alzheimer’s risk by 20% by boosting new brain cell growth.

Spice things up

Taking 500 mg. of the warm spice curcumin daily boosts HDL by 29% by easing inflammation, Indian scientists say. And as UCLA experts explain, its ability to curb swelling is a boon for the brain as well, heightening older adults’ memory by 28% in six months. Note: Check with your doctor before supplementing.

You—sharper now!

Sniffing the scent of rosemary ups right-now alertness and recall by as much as 75%. That’s the word from British scientists, who say aromatic compounds in the herb blunt the breakdown of acetylcholine,

a brain chemical that’s crucial for mental clarity.