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There's a new and compelling reason to start swapping your chips for chickpeas and trading your steak for salmon. A study conducted on over 60,000 Britons has suggested that adhering to a Mediterranean diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and healthy fats—may lower the risk of dementia by almost a quarter, regardless of a person's genetic predisposition...
Researchers from the University of Exeter, Newcastle University, and others part of the Medical Research Council-funded NuBrain consortium, recently published their findings in the renowned journal BMC Medicine. The report indicated a significant "protective effect" against dementia offered by a diet dominated by plant-based foods.
"We used to think we were born with all the brain cells we were ever going to have and that the brain was not that plastic, or malleable or resilient,” said Dr. Emily Rogalski, a cognitive neuroscientist and professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "We’ve learned over the past couple of decades that there is room for adaptation and change."
"The findings from this large population-based study underscore the long-term brain health benefits of consuming a Mediterranean diet," stated Dr. Janice Ranson, a senior research fellow at the University of Exeter and joint lead author of the study. She suggested that this insight could be integral for future public health strategies seeking to combat dementia.
So, what constitutes a Mediterranean diet? Researchers highlighted the key features as being predominantly plant-based. This includes two or more servings of vegetables and three or more servings of fruit per day. Olive oil should be the main cooking fat, and the diet should include less than one serving of red or processed meat and sugar-sweetened drinks per day. Weekly consumption should feature three or more servings of legumes, such as beans or lentils, fish, and nuts.
The diet should include more white meat than red meat, with less than two servings of sweets or pastries per week and two or more servings of a tomato-based sauce.
"The good news from this study is that, even for those with higher genetic risk, having a better diet reduced the likelihood of developing
dementia," said Professor John Mathers of Human Nutrition at Newcastle University.
While diet was the primary focus, the study also reiterated the importance of maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle. For example, getting adequate sleep, controlling blood pressure, and having healthy cholesterol and blood glucose levels all contribute to overall brain health and may further reduce the risk for dementia development.
Dr. Oliver Shannon, a lecturer in human nutrition and ageing at Newcastle University and lead author on the study, highlighted this, saying, “Finding ways to reduce our risk of developing dementia is, therefore, a major priority for researchers and clinicians."
Despite the promising results, experts caution that there are still factors to be considered. For instance, the data primarily involved individuals with European ancestry, and further research across a broader range of populations is necessary. Moreover, there is an ongoing debate about whether the diet itself reduces dementia risk or whether individuals adhering to a Mediterranean diet are more likely to have a generally healthy lifestyle overall.
Furthermore, the study did not cover the social aspect of eating, a key feature of the Mediterranean diet, which could contribute to the protective effect against dementia by fostering interpersonal interactions.
However, despite the limitations and questions yet to be addressed, the initial results offer hope in the fight against dementia. With further research and expanded investigations, the findings could pave the way for new preventive strategies in the battle against this globally prevalent disease.
Professor David Llewellyn of Newcastle University concluded: “Future dementia prevention efforts could go beyond generic healthy diet advice and focus on supporting people to increase consumption of specific foods and nutrients that are essential for brain health.”
The recent research findings linking a Mediterranean diet to a reduced risk of dementia underscore the profound impact that diet and lifestyle choices can have on our brain health. Rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats, the Mediterranean diet offers a nutritional profile that may help combat inflammation and oxidative stress - two factors linked to dementia.
While it's important to remember that adopting this diet does not guarantee prevention, the data suggests it could play a crucial role in mitigating the risk and slowing the progression of dementia. Moreover, it is highlighted that an overall healthy lifestyle, which includes adequate sleep, stress management, and regular physical activity, works hand-in-hand with a healthy diet in promoting cognitive health.
Despite the promising results, the research also outlines the need for further studies, particularly across different populations and considering other influential factors such as social aspects of eating.
Regardless of these unanswered questions, these findings provide a beacon of hope in the ongoing fight against dementia. They not only reaffirm the importance of dietary and lifestyle choices in disease prevention but also underscore the potential for specific diets like the Mediterranean diet to shape future public health strategies.
1. What is the Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean diet is a dietary pattern traditionally followed in countries around the Mediterranean Sea, characterised by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil, moderate intake of fish and poultry, and low intake of red meat, dairy products, and sweets.
2. How is the Mediterranean Diet linked to a lower risk of dementia?
Numerous studies [1] [2] [3] suggest that the Mediterranean diet can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, two factors believed to contribute to the development of dementia. It's also rich in nutrients that promote brain health, like omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins.
3. Does the Mediterranean Diet prevent dementia?
While research suggests that the Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of developing dementia, it does not guarantee prevention. Many factors contribute to dementia, including age, genetics, and lifestyle choices.
4. Can I start the Mediterranean Diet at any age?
Yes, it's never too late to start. Research suggests that following the Mediterranean diet at any age can have beneficial effects on your overall health and cognitive function.[4]
5. Does the Mediterranean Diet help if I already have dementia?
While it cannot cure dementia, the Mediterranean diet may slow its progression and help improve quality of life. However, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider or a nutritionist to tailor the diet to your needs.
6. Are there other lifestyle habits that work well with the Mediterranean diet to lower dementia risk?
Absolutely. Regular physical activity, intellectual stimulation, social engagement, adequate sleep, and management of stress are all beneficial habits that can work together with the Mediterranean diet to promote brain health and potentially lower the risk of dementia.
Please note that while the Mediterranean diet has many potential health benefits, including potentially reducing the risk of dementia, it should be part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
This article is for general information only and is not intended to treat or diagnose medical conditions. If in doubt please check with your GP first.
References:
[1]Scarmeas, N., Stern, Y., Mayeux, R., & Manly, J. J. (2009). Mediterranean diet and mild cognitive impairment. Archives of neurology. This study provides evidence for a decreased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and a slower progression from MCI to Alzheimer's disease for those who adhere more strongly to a Mediterranean diet.
[2]Singh, B., Parsaik, A. K., Mielke, M. M., Erwin, P. J., Knopman, D. S., Petersen, R. C., & Roberts, R. O. (2014). Association of mediterranean diet with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies which found that high adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of developing MCI and Alzheimer's disease, and a decreased risk of progressing from MCI to Alzheimer's disease.
[3]Morris, M. C., Tangney, C. C., Wang, Y., Sacks, F. M., Barnes, L. L., Bennett, D. A., & Aggarwal, N. T. (2015). MIND diet slows cognitive decline with aging. Alzheimer's & Dementia. The MIND diet, which is a hybrid Mediterranean-DASH diet intervention for neurodegenerative delay, was associated with slower cognitive decline. Each increase in the MIND diet score was associated with a decrease in the rate of cognitive decline, indicating the potential benefits of this diet.
[4]Féart, C., Samieri, C., Rondeau, V., Amieva, H., Portet, F., Dartigues, J. F., ... & Barberger-Gateau, P. (2009). Adherence to a Mediterranean diet, cognitive decline, and risk of dementia. Jama. This study found that higher adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with slower cognitive decline and reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study includes participants of different age groups, suggesting that starting the Mediterranean diet at any age can have potential benefits for cognitive health.