How the Mediterranean diet protects the brain from signs of aging

Mediterranean diet benefits

The Mediterranean diet continues to prove to be an ally for cognitive and general health as new studies reveal its positive impact on old age. A recent study published in the prestigious journal JAMA Neurology has found that this diet can keep the mind alert even in the presence of signs of Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers at Rush University in Chicago conducted this study using data from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a study that dates back from 1997 to 2022 and has up to 24 years of follow-up.

The habits of 586 participants were analyzed, who reported their lifestyle, including factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and, crucially, adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

Although some participants had markers of dementia in their brains after death, those who followed the Mediterranean diet scored higher on tests of cognitive functioning. This suggests that the diet could have a protective effect against the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease.

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The Mediterranean diet is based on the traditional dietary patterns of countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and is characterized by abundant consumption of vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts, and extra virgin olive oil. Although it does not focus on a specific nutrient, this diet emphasizes the importance of food quality and diversity on the plate.

Healthy lifestyle

Study participants were classified according to their adherence to a healthy lifestyle, which included the Mediterranean diet, and it was observed that those with higher scores showed better cognitive function near death, despite signs of Alzheimer's in their brains.

Dementia is a general term that encompasses the loss of cognitive functions such as memory, reasoning, and decision-making. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, and although there is no cure, this study suggests that the Mediterranean diet could play an important role in preventing or delaying its onset.

This is not the first study to highlight the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet. Previous research has shown that following this diet can reduce the risk of premature death by up to 29%, as well as decrease the chances of heart disease in both women and men.

Additionally, recent studies have suggested that the Mediterranean diet may have a positive impact on other aspects of health, such as reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.

The Mediterranean diet continues to stand out as a beneficial food option for health in general and cognitive health in particular. This new study highlights the importance of adopting healthy eating habits throughout life, with the potential to protect against cognitive decline associated with aging and diseases such as Alzheimer's.