A new study shows that those people who pursue a Mediterranean diet which is rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish and healthy fats are more likely to have a healthier brain even at an old age.
A U.S. research in Neurology found out that those older people who follow the said diet will experience lesser chance of brain shrinkages. It was also discovered that their brain are more capacious than those who don't practice in the aforementioned eating habit.
The study was conducted by examining around 700 people across New York City. The subjects were primarily of Caucasian, African-American, and Latino descent with an average age of 80. They were then asked a series of questions concerning their diets in the past 7 months. After the question and answer portion, each of the subjects' brain undergone with (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) MRI to perform a scan.
The results show that people who are following the Mediterranean diet have a 13 mL more brain volume compared those who are not. More content of gray and white matter were also discovered which is an indication of a healthy brain.
Yian Gu expressed her excitement and idea concerning the result of the research.
"These results are exciting, as they raise the possibility that people may potentially prevent brain shrinking and the effects of aging on the brain simply by following a healthy diet," stated by the author of the study which is an Assistant Professor of Neuropsychology.
Gu also added that one of the limitations of the said study is that it does not indicate whether the diet can offer less brain degeneration over time.
Long before, Mediterranean diet is already believed to offer health benefits and also helps prevent certain diseases. As a matter of fact, a previous study which was also conducted by Yian Gu, showed that following the said diet can reduce the risk of having an Alzheimer's disease.
