Could Mediterranean food be the answer to a healthier, younger brain?
The short answer is yes.
As we age, our brains naturally shrink and the likelihood of us suffering a stroke, dementia, or Alzheimer’s will also rise. In fact, almost everybody will experience some degree of memory loss with age. A new study, published in the Neurology journal, has revealed that eating a Mediterranean diet can significantly reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer‘s and also keep your brain younger during old age.
This study builds upon other research that truly, the Mediterranean diet is the way to go when it comes to our health. Some of its other benefits? It has been proven to help you live longer, manage weight better, and lower your risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Honestly; as if we needed another reason to love Mediterranean food.
A Reduced Risk of Alzheimer’s and a Younger Brain
MRI scans of 400 adults aged between 73 to 76 years old in Scotland were collected and analysed over a three-year period, to assess their brain volume and thickness of cortex. The researchers found that those who observed a Mediterranean or Mediterranean-like diet were less likely to lose brain volume as they aged.
In fact, people who regularly consumed a Mediterranean diet saw a significant 53% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Even those who ate it most of the time (as opposed to all the time) saw a 35% reduced chance of developing the disease. The same study also found that the diet (which includes wine – hooray!) can also make your brain about 5 years younger.
So… What exactly is the Mediterranean diet?
The Mediterranean diet is actually pretty simple. It involves eating meals that mostly consists of vegetables, fruit, beans and cereals – yes even carbs. In fact, you should have three servings of carbohydrates a day, preferably of the whole grain variety. Rather than cooking with butter or regular oil, opt to cook with olive oil instead. You can eat fish or poultry at least twice a week, but limit the amount of meat, dairy and saturated fat you consume. Also – wine lovers, rejoice: indulging in a glass of wine a day is perfectly fine!
It definitely goes without saying that the Mediterranean diet is the way to go. A reduced risk of developing chronic diseases, plus also being physically and mentally healthier as we get older? It’s the closest thing we can get to a fountain of youth, if we ever had one. We don’t know about you, but we’re definitely on Team Mediterranean when it comes to our food!
Sarah Khan
Photo: Getty Images
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