Cognitive decline could be reduced with a Mediterranean-style diet
A wealth of studies has suggested that a healthful diet may help to protect the brain against the effects of aging.
New research adds fuel to the fire, after finding that following a Mediterranean-style diet in later life could help to stave off cognitive decline.
Low in junk foods and dairy products and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil, the Mediterranean diet is considered one of the most healthful diets to follow.
Not only have studies linked the Mediterranean diet to better heart health and reduced cancer risk, but research has also shown the diet to have cognitive benefits.
Another diet associated with better cognitive function is the appropriately named MIND diet. This eating plan consists of 10 foods that are considered beneficial for the brain, many of which are included in the Mediterranean diet, such as vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil.
For the new study, Dr. Yaffe and colleagues set out to gain a better understanding of the link between Mediterranean-style diets and cognitive function, noting that “variation between studies makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions.”
The team found that adults who had higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet were 35 percent less likely to have poor test scores, compared with adults who followed less healthful diets.
Even older adults with moderate adherence to the Mediterranean diet were 15 percent less likely to have poor test scores, the researchers report.
Similar results were found for subjects with moderate or high adherence to the MIND diet.
Additionally, the study revealed that the incidence of cognitive impairment was lower among older adults with greater adherence to the Mediterranean or MIND diets.
According to Dr. Yaffe and colleagues, these findings indicate that a Mediterranean-style diet could protect against cognitive decline among older adults, which may “have important public health implications for preservation of cognition during aging.”
“Given the limited evidence base and lack of clear dietary recommendations for cognitive health, further prospective population-based studies and clinical trials are required to elucidate the role of dietary patterns in cognitive aging and brain health,” conclude the researchers.
———————————————————————————————-
Watch your favorite programs, documentaries, informative packages and latest NEWS(English and Urdu).
Watch Humsub tv Live Streaming here: Humsub.tv
Read English Latest Articles and News here: Humsub
Read Urdu Latest News and Articles here: Urdu News
———————————————————————————————-