This diet may reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Health

By means of Alex Mitchell

March 9, 2023 | 12:08 am

Seniors who stick to the Mediterranean diet may lower their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, new research finds.

Those who regularly consume fish in addition to leafy greens, oil, beans, nuts and high fiber — according to the diet — may also be able to take years off their own brain age, according to a new study published in Neurology.

In these cases, fewer abnormal protein clumps had appeared, which are a red flag for Alzheimer’s disease.

The over-65s who consistently ate a healthy diet had a brain age 18 years younger than those who had a higher fat diet of burgers and fries.

“This study takes what we know about the link between diet and risk of cognitive decline a step further by looking at the specific brain changes that occur in Alzheimer’s disease,” Heather Snyder, vice president of medical and scientific relations, told me. at the Alzheimer’s Association. US news and world report.

Although she did not take part in the study, Snyder added that the results are “intriguing.”

Brain tissue was taken from 581 autopsy brains and analyzed with a score for how good the person’s diet was. Those following the Mediterranean diet — or its close sister the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet — came out on top.

While experts say there’s no concrete evidence that Mediterranean or MIND eating habits ward off dementia, this research furthers evidence that it helps reduce brain age.

The findings also showed that the smallest changes, such as a cup of leafy greens a day, can show a four-year younger brain age compared to those who don’t eat foods like kale or spinach. Those who ate seven weekly servings saw a reduction of up to 19 years of brain aging.

This research also “gives us a first look at the mechanisms” of how eating patterns are related to Alzheimer’s risk, said lead researcher Puja Agarwal.

Fewer brain plaque buildups may be one-way diets — known for alleviating inflammation in the body and protecting cells — to prevent dementia, she said, adding that it’s just too early to say how.