A latest study states that change in diet reduces risk of dementia.
Spanish researchers analysed the effect of three-different diets on people's mental health; Mediterranean-style diet with extra-virgin olive oil (MedDiet with EVOO), a Mediterranean-style diet with mixed nuts and a standard low-fat control diet. The low-fat diet is mostly advised for patients with heart disease or dementia.
For the study, the researchers observed 522 participants aged between 50 and 80 who did not have any medical history related to cardiac problems or dementia. They were randomly assigned to one of the three diet groups, reports The Sacramento Bee. The researchers tracked the participants for 6.5 years.
The study results showed that those in the MedDiet with EVOO had the highest cognition scores. The participants in the MedDiet with nuts too scored well on the cognitive skills.
A MedDiet includes vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, fish, and seafood and is low in dairy, meat and processed grains. The researchers said that the MedDiet is a good source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory plant chemicals that all protect the body from chronic illnesses.
Past studies show that the MedDiet has several health benefits. One such study stated that people who ate a MedDiet had lower blood concentrations of inflammatory markers. These people also had a lower risk of cardio vascular disease, hypertension and diabetes.
Compared to MedDiet, American diet is rich in processed grains and sugars. This increases the risk of blood sugar and insulin resistance. Dr. David Perlmutter, a renowned neurologist, extensively wrote on the impact of sugar and grains on brain health in his New York Times best-seller 'Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth About Wheat, Carbs and Sugar - Your Brain's Silent Killers,' reports The Sacramento Bee.
A recent study also stated that carbohydrates increase the risk of dementia.
The article was published in the Journal of Neurology.
