Scientists: the right diet in middle age keeps the brain healthy

0

A new study shows , that people who eat a healthy diet in middle age have a larger brain volume, compared to those who eat a less healthy diet. This suggests that dietary choices in middle age may reduce the risk of dementia and other degenerative brain diseases with age.

Dr Helen Macpherson from Deakin University's Institute of Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) studied eating habits and volume brains of adults between the ages of 40 and 65 and found that those who ate a variety of healthy foods, including lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and good fats, had more gray matter and larger brain volume than those whose diets included less of these products.

Dr. McPherson commented on the results published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. This is a significant discovery, she said, showing that healthy eating habits throughout life are necessary to protect against neurodegeneration as we age.

“There is no blood test that can detect dementia in middle age, but brain volume is an important indicator of brain health,” says Dr. McPherson. “The volume of the brain begins to decrease by old age. Its increased reduction can lead to dementia”.

Dr. McPherson studied the data of almost 20,000 people from the British biobank. The participants reported the specifics of their diet and underwent an MRI to assess brain volume. The study considered three indicators of diet quality.

Scientists relied on the Mediterranean diet and proximity to it. Compliance of the diet with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) was also evaluated. The study found that the link between diet and brain volume was stronger for men than for women.