A new diet, “Mind”, developed by Rush University, can reduce cerebral aging by 7.5 years in the elderly.

The team of American researchers began with a dual observation: several studies have shown a beneficial effect of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet (dietary approaches to prevent hypertension) in slowing down the cognitive decline. What happens if the two diet modes are combined? This is the Mind, Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay.

Foods that protect the brain

Mind is focused on the quality of fatty acids, a recognized indicator of the risk of dementia. But it does incorporate foods or families of foods that have already been identified as neuroprotective (green vegetables, other vegetables, nuts, berries, small red fruits, grains, fish, poultry, olive oil, and red wine) and exclude categories with a risky nutritional profile. (Red meat, butter, cheese, pastries, fried foods, sweet products, fast food).

The brain is less than 7.5 years old

Therefore, the study assessed the impact of this regime on an average of 960 adults aged 81 years over a 4-year period. The results are impressive: Compared to the lowest Mind Diet score, the higher Tertile shows a decrease in cognitive decline equivalent to the brain age gain of 7.5 years.

For lead author Martha Claire Morris, this is further evidence of the crucial role of lifestyle in aging, when the exact cure for dementia is still not available.

Source

Morris MC et al., Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, June 15