Could the Mediterranean diet reduce dementia risk? - Medical News Today

Previous research has determined that a Mediterranean diet can benefit heart health and aid in weight loss.

The study has shown that a Mediterranean diet can help prevent the buildup of two proteins and brain-volume shrinkage that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

“Our study suggests that eating a diet that’s high in unsaturated fats, fish, fruits, and vegetables and low in dairy and red meat may actually protect your brain from the protein buildup that can lead to memory loss and dementia.”.

Individuals received scores for their diet quality, with the people who had eaten a diet most closely resembling a Mediterranean diet receiving the highest scores on a scale of 1 to 9.

After adjusting for sex, age, and education, the scientists identified several clear links between better cognitive health and a Mediterranean diet.

Ballarini: “More research is needed to show the mechanism by which a Mediterranean diet protects the brain from protein buildup and loss of brain function, but findings suggest that people may reduce their risk for developing Alzheimer’s by incorporating more elements of the Mediterranean diet into their daily diets.”

The Mediterranean diet focuses on whole foods and includes plenty of fruits and vegetables