EAT YOUR WAY TO A HEALTHIER BRAIN
A National Geographic article entitled “The Diet That Could Make Your Brain 7 Years Younger” was sent to me by a In The Zone reader. The diet referred to was a combination of the Mediterranean Diet and the DASH diet and is aptly named the MIND diet. The MIND diet focuses on eating high nutrient foods like leafy greens and berries while avoiding highly processed foods and saturated fats.
THOSE WITH CLOSEST ADHERENCE TO THE MIND DIET EXPERIENCED SLOWER AGING OF THEIR BRAINS---EQUIVALENT TO BEING 7.5 YEARS YOUNGER THAN THOSE WITH THE LEAST ADHERENCE.
Even those who moderately adhered to the MIND diet showed a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s more than those who followed either the Mediterranean or DASH diet alone. Even when started later in life, the MIND diet is associated with a consistent reduction in dementia. Showing benefits for young and old alike, the secret of the Mind diet is the foods reduce inflammation and oxidative stress , both of which are bad for the brain.
The MIND diet is not a rigid one. “You don’t have to be perfect on it and you still see the benefits” said one of the co-developers of the diet.
For more information about the Mediterranean diet, visit:
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/mediterranean-diet
For more information about the DASH diet, visit: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/dash-eating-plan
For more information about the MIND diet, visit: https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/what-to-know-about-mind-diet
