The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is called quite a wonder food by scientists, as it can help to boost not only the heart but also the brain. It is said to be keeping Alzheimer's at bay.
In a research published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, scientists found that the MedDiet can positively influence memory, language as well as attention.
The main ingredients of the MedDiet include plant foods such as leafy greens, fresh vegetables and fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, beans and cereals. There is less red meat and dairy products, while the major source of fat is olive oil.
Leading author Roy Hardman from the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology at Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology looked at information gathered from 2000 to 2015. Researchers said that MedDiets tend to improve long-term as well as working memory, along with reducing "delayed recognition, executive functions and visual constructs." In total, 18 out of the 135 articles met the survey's strict inclusion criteria.
"The most surprising result was that the positive effects were found in countries around the whole world. So regardless of being located outside of what is considered the Mediterranean region, the positive cognitive effects of a higher adherence to a MedDiet were similar in all evaluated papers;" Hardman said.
Australian researchers conducted two studies for younger adults, both hinting at cognitive improvement with the help of computerized assessments. Scientists believe that MedDiets help to improve the quality of life, and also bring down economic and social burdens related to Alzheimer's.
The diet helps in improvement among people throughout the globe, not just in a particular area. It also helps people of all ages, not merely older persons.
"These include reducing inflammatory responses, increasing micronutrients, improving vitamin and mineral imbalances, changing lipid profiles by using olive oils as the main source of dietary fats, maintaining weight and potentially reducing obesity, improving polyphenols in the blood, improving cellular energy metabolism and maybe changing the gut micro-biota, although this has not been examined to a larger extent yet," Hardman said.
"I would therefore recommend people to try to adhere or switch to a MedDiet, even at an older age," Hardman added.
