Khaberni - The world has witnessed a noticeable increase in interest in the role of lifestyle, especially dietary habits, in affecting the general health of humans over the long term, including brain health.
In this regard, a recent study has shown that adherence to a modified diet from the Mediterranean diet, known as the "MIND diet," may contribute to slowing brain aging and maintaining its health as it ages.
The study, which included 1,647 middle-aged and older adults and followed them for an average of 12 years, found that individuals who adhered more closely to the MIND diet recommendations recorded a decrease in the rate of brain tissue loss over time. Participants were assessed based on their self-reported dietary habits, along with undergoing MRI scans to monitor changes in the brain.
The results indicated that this association was most evident in the "gray matter," the part of the brain responsible for basic functions such as thinking, remembering, and decision-making. The researchers also noted that adherence to this diet was also associated with a reduced rate of enlargement of the brain ventricles, another indicator linked to the loss of brain tissue.
On the other hand, the researchers noted that participants who were most committed to the MIND diet may show brain changes equivalent to a slowdown in aging of about 2.5 years, which reinforces the importance of diet in supporting long-term brain health.
The researchers explained these results by noting that foods recommended as part of the MIND diet, such as berries rich in antioxidants and poultry as a high-quality protein source, may help reduce oxidative stress and protect nerve cells from damage. In contrast, fried foods and fast food rich in unhealthy fats and trans fats may increase inflammation and vascular damage.
The MIND diet is a combination of the Mediterranean diet and the "DASH diet," designed to lower blood pressure. The Mediterranean diet focuses on consuming plenty of plant-based foods and nuts, with moderation in consuming fish and dairy products and reducing red meat, while the DASH diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
According to the researchers, combining these two dietary patterns with some modifications aims to support cognitive functions and prevent cognitive decline, which is supported by previous studies that linked the MIND diet with reducing the risk of dementia and improving mental health.
The current study was conducted by an international team led by researchers from the School of Medicine at Zhejiang University in China, where participants were not asked to follow a specific diet but were evaluated based on how well their dietary habits matched the principles of the MIND diet.
Despite the positive results, the researchers emphasized that the study does not prove a direct causal relationship, as all potential influencing factors such as sleep quality or genetic factors were not controlled. The results also showed some unexpected observations, such as the association of whole grain consumption with a faster decline in gray matter, while cheese intake was associated with a slower rate of deterioration, although cheese is usually advised to be consumed less in this diet.
In conclusion, the researchers emphasize the need for more long-term and broader research to understand the relationship between dietary patterns and brain health more precisely, especially in the context of the growing number of elderly globally and the rise in rates of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
