Scientists: For A Clear Mind, Eat Like A Greek!
Author: Alexander Bruni
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
People who eat and drink like the Greeks have a clearer mind in old age, scientists have found.
Results from a new study have shown that Mediterranean-type diets can be beneficial for the brain. People who eat and drink like the Greeks have a clearer mind in old age, according to the authors of the analysis, published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition .
It is known that by consuming fruits, vegetables, legumes, wine, olive oil and fish - and with very little red meat - the Mediterranean diet helps prevent various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, said the head of. the Christine Tangney study from the University of Chicago Medical Center.
To determine whether slow brain aging could be added to the list of potential health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, the study authors tracked the eating habits and cognitive functions of nearly 4,000 people born in the Midwest aged 65 and over.
The researchers subjected the volunteers to two types of different diets - one adhering to the traditional foods of the Greek population and another, depending on how well the participants knew " The Dietary Guidelines for Americans " from 2005.
The cognitive decline of the subjects was assessed every 3 years, based on the measurement of their abilities, memory, basic skills in mathematics and others.
Of the maximum score of 55 on the Mediterranean diet scale, participants received an average of 28. In higher-performing volunteers, cognitive decline appears to develop slowly, over time, even after considering other factors such as education, the researchers said.
It is also clear that the method of " The Dietary Guidelines for Americans " does not affect cognitive functions.
Researchers also emphasize the potential role of wine in protecting the brain from damage. It is also believed that traditional foods included in the Mediterranean diet can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation due to Alzheimer's disease.
Further research is needed to confirm whether eating as a Greek will contribute to a longer preservation of mental abilities, the authors believe. They note the advantage of the Mediterranean diet with the ability for people to focus on specific foods rather than just individual nutrients.
To maintain good memory and mental abilities, experts recommend eating more vegetables, olive oil, fish and moderate consumption of wine, combined with greater physical activity.