Eating well in middle-age and avoiding that dreaded spare tire may keep your brain healthy as you approach your golden years.
A [new study](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2831324) finds both diet quality and waist-to-hip ratio – which measures belly fat -- can impact brain function and cognitive decline.
Researchers analyzed data from two groups of adults. The first included more than 500 mid-lifers whose diet was monitored for up to 30 years.
The second included about 660 who also received MRI brain scans and cognitive tests when they turned 70.
The results showed healthier diets throughout midlife led to stronger hippocampus function and better white matter integrity in older age. The hippocampus is crucial to forming and retrieving memories and white matter helps with learning, problem solving, and focusing.
In contrast, higher waist-to-hip ratio was associated with poorer working memory and executive function.
The authors say interventions to improve diet and manage belly fat may be most effective between the ages of 48 and 70.
Source: JAMA Open Network
Author Affiliations: University of Oxford, University of Leipzig Medical Center, University College London, Université de Montpellier, Radboud University, Université Paris Cité