Anti-Age Your Brain: Feed it the Mediterranean Diet

What Exactly is the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts, legumes, and fish. It also includes smaller amounts of meat, dairy and saturated fats, and moderate alcohol consumption. The diet has been adhered to for years by people in countries like Italy and Greece.

The most recent benefits of the Mediterranean diet were recently published in the journal Archives of Neurology. 

Foods To Keep The Body Healthy

Earlier this century, medical science began studying regions of the Mediterranean where cancer and heart disease were rare, despite the fact that the people in these regions ate a diet that included breads, wine and foods that are otherwise considered to be detrimental to good health.

Small towns in Southern Italy were studied where the incidents of cancer and heart disease were lower than any other nation. Again, this was despite the fact that the people living in these regions were eating foods high in fats. More research was done on these foods and the health benefits were soon determined. Fatty fish, olive oil, vegetables, fruits and even bread were not only found to be beneficial for physical health, but mental health as well. 

Foods To Keep The Brain Sharp

Fish is often called “brain food.” The reason for this is that it is rich in Omega-3s, a nutrient that can help boost memory and brain activity. The study found that individuals who followed a Mediterranean Diet experienced fewer incidents of dementia and even Alzheimer’s disease (although more research needs to be conducted with regard to the effect of diet and this condition). 

Additionally, those who consumed the foods of the Mediterranean Diet had better cognitive health than those who consumed more Western style diets, including popular “health food diets.” Scientists and nutritionists believe that this is due to the fact that the combination of these foods promotes better blood flow, which in turn leads to more focused cognitive thought. 

Studies are still underway regarding the Mediterranean Diet and its benefits for good health. So far, studies have indicated that this diet that is so rich in vegetables, fish, tomatoes and breads, as well as red wine, can cut the risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers, including those of the digestive tract. Further studies regarding the cognitive abilities of those who regularly consume the Mediterranean Diet are still underway. While these studies indicate better memory and less dementia, the relation to Alzheimer’s disease is not yet clear.

In addition to helping with memory and cognitive abilities, the study indicated that those who ate a steady diet of fatty fish, vegetables, fruits and breads also had lower incidents of depression, a disease that is often common with older individuals.   

One thing, however, is clear from studying the Mediterranean Diet. The foods and drinks consumed in this diet can prevent a number of life threatening illnesses and conditions and keep you both physically and mentally healthy for a longer period of time. So go Mediterranean today!