Mediterranean Diet Could Prevent You from Suffering Dementia, Research Says
People who follow a Mediterranean-style diet are less likely to suffer from dementia. The findings is part of the growing research suggesting that ’healthy fats’ for everything from bone strength to brain and heart health in later life.
The new study, carried out by Australian researchers, shows that people who eat plenty of fish, lean meat, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats see improved attention, memory, and language skills.
’Why is a higher adherence to the MedDiet related to slowing down the rate of cognitive decline? The MedDiet offers the opportunity to change some of the modifiable risk factors,’ explained lead author Roy Hardman from Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia.
The new study also showed that the Mediterranean diet is a great way to boost the micronutrients in the body, thus, improving vitamin and mineral imbalances, and increasing metabolism. Also, it changes lipid profiles by using olive oils as the main source of dietary fats, rather than butter, milk or cheese.
Higher legume and fish intake, in particular, was associated with greater cortical thickness in all lobes in the brain.
What’s more surprising is that the benefits of Mediterranean diet are not exclusive to older individuals. Two of the 18 studies included in the paper - which collated information between 2000 and 2015 - focused on younger adults and they both found improvements in their brain function.
And even though doctors don’t prescribe a Mediterranean diet to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers note that following it isn’t a bad idea. While a high intake of fish vegetables and legumes promote brain health, a high intake of sugar and carbohydrates may have adverse effects on the brain. In fact, scientists claimed that the ballooning obesity crisis - which was long blamed to too much fat intake - may actually be due to diets packed with sugar and food containing refined grains, such as white bread and pasta. The new research shows that eating unrestricted amounts of fat was healthier than any other type of diet, when it is done in the right way.
The study was published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
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Scared of getting Alzheimer’s? Try the Mediterranean diet! Good fats, fish, and vegetables ’boost memory and attention’
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