Using science to create The Unforgettable Cake

UNSW’s food and health expert, Professor Johannes le Coutre, and the Director of UNSW’s Ageing Futures Institute and Senior Principal Research Scientist at NeuRA, Professor Kaarin Anstey, have helped to develop a special brain-friendly cake.

In collaboration with community care provider Meals on Wheels NSW, the cake incorporates a variety of foods that are widely believed to be brain-boosting, such as beetroot, spinach, turmeric, olive oil and blueberries, as well as a range of native ingredients. It has been developed as a way to highlight the widespread issue of cognitive decline among senior Australians.

According to le Coutre, using his background in food and nutrition science to help conceptualise a cake was new territory for him.

“Along with Meals on Wheels and a team of specialists, we had to consider both ingredients and texture — including how to minimise sugar and how to ensure the cake’s texture was suitable for individuals who suffer from dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, which is a concern for some older Australians.

“Using the currently available scientific evidence, we came up with a list of foods that are understood to provide quality nutrition — which is really important as we age — while still allowing for the nostalgic enjoyment of eating a slice of cake.”

Dubbed ‘The Unforgettable Cake’, it was developed by pastry chef Christopher Thé, founder of the ‘strawberry watermelon cake’ from Black Star Pastry, with advice from a group of experts.

The cake includes only natural ingredients that are widely believed to be beneficial to the brain, such as beetroot, spinach, turmeric, olive oil and blueberries. These may not seem like your typical birthday cake flavours, but individually, each ingredient plays a key role in improving cognitive function.

The cake also includes natural sweeteners like honey, which has anti-inflammatory qualities, and vanilla ermine frosting.

While the selection of each ingredient was based on research, no clinical work has been conducted with the cake or all its components at once.

According to Les MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer of Meals on Wheels NSW, The Unforgettable Cake provides an opportunity to bring attention to an issue that is endemic within the community.

“As we mark our 70th anniversary, we thought it would be timely to have a meaningful conversation about the serious issue of cognitive decline, which includes dementia and Alzheimer’s, and impacts many Meals on Wheels clients and families within our community,” MacDonald said.

“A healthy diet — incorporating ingredients such as those in The Unforgettable Cake — is vital for cognitive health, because the brain is responsible for so many functions within our body, and if it isn’t working properly it impacts on our ability to engage in life and perform daily activities.

“Added to this, social engagement is known to improve brain function, and for many of our clients, a visit from a Meals on Wheels volunteer is the highlight of their week, so if we can elicit more happy memories and moments for them just by sharing a slice of cake, it adds another layer to the important role we play in the community.”

The Unforgettable Cake will be delivered to select Meals on Wheels clients from Wednesday, 22 November.

Image credit: Common Ventures