On 2008 July, BBC published "Tofu 'may raise risk of dementia' Tofu is a widely eaten soy product. Eating high levels of some soy products - including tofu - may raise the risk of memory loss, research suggests." [1]
Does Tofu Cause Dementia?
A 2008 study from Indonesia found that among people aged 52 to 98, increased tofu consumption was linked to slightly worse memory scores (-0.18, p = .05). Tempeh, on the other hand, was linked to slightly better memory scores.The authors state that:
"According to the Departments of Public Health at the Universities of Jakarta and Yogyakarta, formaldehyde is often added to tofu (but not tempeh) to preserve its freshness. Formaldehyde can induce oxidative damage to the frontal cortex and hippocampal tissue...."
As of January 2011, the Indonesian government was still trying to end the practice of adding formaldehyde to tofu. [3]
Source
[1] Tofu 'may raise risk of dementia.' BBC News, July 4, 2008.(Accessed 2012.11.04)[2] High tofu intake is associated with worse memory in elderly Indonesian men and women. Hogervorst E, Sadjimim T, Yesufu A, Kreager P, Rahardjo TB. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2008;26(1):50-7. Epub 2008 Jun 27.
[3] Agency wants control on formaldehyde The Jakarta Post, January 05, 2011 9:53 AM. (Accessed 2012.11.04)
