We all know that our diet affects our health, but what if a new diet style could possibly help prevent dementia? Meals from the Mediterranean have been linked to stronger bones, a healthier heart, and reducing the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. Now we may be able to add lowering your risk for dementia to the list.
New Research
New research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International conference in London found that healthy older adults who ate the Mediterranean or other similar diets lowered their risk of dementia by a third. Lead author Claire McEvoy, from the University of California, said:
“Eating a healthy plant-based diet is associated with better cognitive function and around 30% to 35% lower risk of cognitive impairment during aging.”
The Study
The study was done with a national representative older population, that way they would be relevant to the general public. The study had 6,000 older Americans participant with an average of 68. After adjusting for age, gender, race, low educational attainment, lifestyle, and heath issues, researchers found that those who follow the Mediterranean diet had a 30% to 35% lower risk of cognitive impairment.
What is a Mediterranean Diet
This diet consists of plant base cooking, each meal focusing on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds, with a few nuts, and a heavy emphasis on extra virgin olive oil. There are no refined sugars, flours, and fats other than things like butter. You can eat them but it’s extremely rare.
Meat also makes a rare appearance, used only to really flavor a dish. Instead the focus is more on eggs, dairy, and poultry in much smaller portions compared to western diets. Fish though, are key part of the diet.
You can read more here.