Consumption of processed, sugary or fried foods is the number one habit that can lead to premature aging of the brain and cognitive decline, increasing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. A new study published in the January 7 issue of Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association found that eating foods from the typical Western diet may negate the benefits of the Mediterranean diet that has been shown to be heart and brain healthy.
According to Eat This, Not That !, the researchers followed more than 5,000 people for 20 years and found that those who followed the Mediterranean diet focused on fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish while avoiding red meat, processed and fried foods had brains that were 5.8 years younger than people who deviated from the diet.
“Participants with slower cognitive decline over the follow-up years were those who adhered most to the Mediterranean diet, along with limiting foods that are part of the Western diet, while participants who consumed more of the Western diet they had no beneficial effect on healthy foods. components in slowing down the cognitive decline “, wrote the authors of the study.
Puja Agarwal, Ph.D., one of the top researchers at Rush University Medical Center, said ScienceDaily that “eating a diet that focuses on vegetables, fresh fruits, fish and whole grains can positively affect a person’s health. But when combined with fried foods, sweets, refined cereals and red meat and processed meat, I have noticed that the benefits of consuming a Mediterranean part of the diet seem to be diminished. ”
Agarwal added that “the more we incorporate leafy greens, berries, olive oil and fish into our diets, the better it is for our aging brains and bodies,” according to Eat This, Not That! More benefits and information about the Mediterranean diet can be found here.
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