This diet could lower your risk of Alzheimer’s

Health

By Alex Mitchell

March 9, 2023 | 12:08

According to a new study, older people who stick to the Mediterranean diet may reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

According to a new study published in Neurology, those who regularly eat fish in addition to leafy greens, oil, beans, nuts, and fiber — depending on diet — may also be able to cut years their own brain age.

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

People over 65 who ate healthy, consistent diets had brains 18 years younger than those who ate a higher fat diet of burgers and fries.

“This study expands on what we know about the link between nutrition and the risk of cognitive decline by examining the specific brain changes that occur in Alzheimer’s disease,” said Heather Snyder, vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer’s Association. US news and world report.

Although she was not involved in the study, Snyder added that the results are “intriguing.”

Brain tissue was taken from 581 autopsied brains and analyzed with a score indicating the quality of the person’s diet. Those following the Mediterranean diet — or its close sister, the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet have been the best.

Although experts say there is no concrete evidence that Mediterranean eating habits or MIND prevent dementia, this research strengthens the evidence that it helps reduce brain age.

The results also revealed that the smallest of changes, such as one cup of leafy green vegetables per day, could show a four-year younger brain age compared to those who did not eat foods like kale or vegetables. spinach. Those who ate seven weekly servings saw up to 19 years of reduction in brain aging.

This research also “gives us a first insight into the mechanisms” of how dietary habits are linked to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, said lead researcher Puja Agarwal.

Fewer brain plaque buildups could be one-way diets – known to dampen inflammation in the body and protect cells – help prevent dementia, she said, adding it’s too early to tell. say how.