Alzheimer's Disease, a form of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behaviour, is a major health issue in the UK. It's the most common type of dementia, affecting two-thirds of those diagnosed with the condition.
Recent studies have suggested that diet could play a crucial role in preventing Alzheimer's. There's growing evidence to suggest that what we eat can impact cognitive abilities as we age.
This has led to further research into how dietary patterns might influence the development of Alzheimer's. While healthy eating habits have been linked to cognitive benefits in various studies, more research is needed to determine if diet can prevent or delay Alzheimer's or age-related cognitive decline.
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Certain diets are thought to enhance specific nutrients that protect the brain through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. One diet that shows promise in preventing Alzheimer's is the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative delay diet, or MIND diet.
Although it shares some similarities with the Mediterranean diet, the MIND diet includes additional foods and restricts others. While it's still early days for this research, the initial findings offer a ray of hope as scientists continue to investigate, reports Surrey Live.
The MIND diet is a fusion of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets. The study on this diet, officially known as the Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, was led by Dr. Martha Clare Morris and her team at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
Their research, published in 2015 in Alzheimer's and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, found that following the MIND diet could significantly lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, even if only moderately adhered to. After an average of 4.5 years, those who stuck closely to the MIND diet had a 53% reduced rate of Alzheimer's compared to those who didn't follow the diet closely.
What does the MIND diet entail?
Much like its Mediterranean counterpart, it encourages the consumption of vegetables, especially leafy greens, and prioritises berries over other fruits. Whole grains, beans, and nuts are also recommended, along with weekly servings of fish and olive oil.
The diet suggests limiting intake of red meat, sweets, cheese, butter/margarine, and fast/fried food. While the Mediterranean diet is more lenient with cheese consumption, it also has a broader focus on vegetables beyond the MIND diet's emphasis on leafy varieties and berries.
In a related study, sticking to the MIND diet was associated with a significant slowing down of cognitive decline over an average period of nearly five years. These promising results warrant further exploration. As scientists continue their mission to combat this debilitating disease, more research is being conducted.
In a similar study, adhering to the MIND diet was linked to a substantial deceleration of cognitive decline over an average span of almost five years. While these results are encouraging, they necessitate further investigation.
Additional studies are underway as scientists strive to make progress in preventing this incapacitating illness. Although it's still early days for this research, the findings so far provide a reason for cautious optimism as the scientific community continues to delve deeper into the matter.
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