According to scientists, a Mediterranean diet rich in nuts, seafood, whole grains and vegetables is associated with up to a 23% lower risk of dementia.
The findings, published in the journal BMC Medicine, are based on data from more than 60,000 individuals from the UK Biobank – an online database of medical and lifestyle records for more than half a million Britons.
But the researchers noted that the findings are primarily based on European ancestry and that more studies in a broader population are needed to determine the potential benefit.
However, they added that a Mediterranean diet that includes plenty of plant foods could still be an “important intervention” as part of future public health strategies to reduce the risk of dementia.
Our study suggests that eating a Mediterranean diet may be a strategy to help individuals reduce their risk of developing dementia.
Dr. Oliver Shannon
the doctor. Oliver Shannon, Professor of Human Nutrition and Aging at Newcastle University and lead author of the study, said: “Dementia affects the lives of millions of people around the world, and there are currently limited options for treating the condition.
Therefore, finding ways to reduce the risk of dementia is a high priority for researchers and clinicians.
Our study suggests that eating a Mediterranean diet may be a strategy to help individuals reduce their risk of developing dementia.
the doctor. Shannon and colleagues analyzed data from 60,298 people who completed a dietary assessment.
The researchers scored the subjects using two measures of adherence to the Mediterranean diet.
Over a period of nearly a decade, there were 882 cases of dementia.
The authors also took into account each individual’s genetic risk of developing dementia.
They found that people who followed a strict Mediterranean diet had a 23% lower risk of developing dementia, compared to those with a low adherence score.
The researchers also said that the Mediterranean diet has a “protective effect” against dementia, regardless of a person’s genetic risk, but added that more studies are needed to explore this finding.
Study co-author Dr. “The results of this large population study confirm the long-term benefits for brain health of a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fats,” said Janice Ranson, a researcher at the University of Exeter. It is true.
“This diet’s protective effect against dementia was evident regardless of a person’s genetic risk, and so it has the potential to be a beneficial lifestyle option for people looking to make healthy food choices and reduce their risk of dementia.”
More research is needed to build on their interesting findings and see if these reported benefits also translate in minority communities, where historically dementia is often misunderstood and heavily stigmatized.
Dr. Susan Mitchell
Commenting on the study, Dr. said. Susan Mitchell, director of policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “There is ample evidence that eating a healthy, balanced diet can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
But the evidence for specific diets is much less clear.
This large new study adds to this overall picture, but it was only based on data from people of white, British or Irish descent.
“More research is needed to build on their interesting findings and see if these reported benefits also translate in minority communities, where historically dementia is often misunderstood and heavily stigmatized, and where awareness of how people reduce their risk is low.
“While there are not yet proven ways to prevent dementia, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, combined with plenty of exercise and not smoking, contributes to good heart health, which in turn helps protect our brains from the diseases that lead to dementia. madness.”
