The Scotsman

Mediterran­ean-style diet ‘could cut risk of developing dementia’

● Oily fish, fresh vegetables and nuts found to keep the brain healthy

- By JANE KIRBY

A Mediterran­ean-style diet that is rich in oily fish, fresh vegetables and nuts could help cut the risk of dementia, research suggests.

New studies presented at the Alzheimer’s Associatio­n Internatio­nal Conference in London examined links between diet and dementia and found that following a nutrientri­ch diet helps keep the brain healthy.

In a study on almost 6,000 people, led by the University of California at San Francisco, scientists found that those who stuck the closest to a Mediterran­ean or similar diet over the course of a year were 30 per cent to 35 per cent less likely to have low scores on cognitive tests than those who did not stick to such a diet.

This was even after taking into account factors such as smoking, exercise, overall health and socio-economic status.

Claire Mcevoy, co-author of the research, said the benefits of healthy eating seem to exist on a sliding scale.

“Even moderate adherence to these high-quality dietary patterns showed a protective associatio­n with cognitive function,” she said.

Dr Maria Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimer’s Associatio­n, said the study showed that changing your

0 People who stuck to a Mediterran­ean diet were less less likely to have low scores on cognitive tests dietary pattern “really is quite impactful”.

She said: “You can change your trajectory of cognitive decline if you are adherent, for example, to Mediterran­ean diets or other diets that are low in saturated fats, low in processed flour and processed sugar. Good fats are important. Fats found in fish and good meats, as opposed to red meats, are all very good for your brain.”

She said another study from Columbia University showed poor nutrition may increase inflammati­on in the body and lead to brain shrinkage.

She said: “People that perhaps eat a lot of junk food and processed foods may end up having less brain cognition over time as they age and may actually have smaller brains.”

A Mediterran­ean diet includes vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, fish, olive oil and whole grains, while being low in red and processed meat, and with alcohol kept to a minimum.

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