A recent study from RUSH University in Chicago suggests that eating diets rich in green leafy vegetables, along with foods like fruits, whole grains, olive oil, beans, nuts, and fish, may help protect against brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
These brain changes include the buildup of harmful proteins, known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which are common in people with Alzheimer’s.
The research focused on two diets known for their brain health benefits: the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet. Both are plant-based and emphasize foods like leafy greens, berries, and fish.
The Mediterranean diet suggests eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and at least three servings of fish each week. Meanwhile, the MIND diet emphasizes green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale, along with other vegetables.
It also highlights the importance of berries over other fruits and suggests eating fish at least once a week. Both diets recommend moderate wine consumption as well.
In this study, 581 older adults, with an average age of 84, answered yearly questions about their eating habits and agreed to donate their brains for research after they passed away.
The study followed these participants for about seven years, and after their deaths, researchers examined their brains for signs of Alzheimer’s.
They found that people who closely followed the Mediterranean or MIND diets had fewer amyloid plaques and tau tangles than those who did not. These findings suggest a possible link between diet and brain health in older age.
Interestingly, the people who ate the most green leafy vegetables, around seven servings or more each week, had brain plaque levels similar to those of people nearly two decades younger.
Those who ate the least amount of green leafy vegetables, about one serving or less per week, showed more signs of these brain changes.
While this study shows a connection between healthy diets and reduced signs of Alzheimer’s, it’s important to note that it only found an association, not direct proof that diet alone prevents Alzheimer’s.
Still, the findings support the idea that diet may be a key factor in brain health and could help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease as people age.
For people concerned about Alzheimer’s, other studies have shown that regular exercise, a diet with coconut oil, or eating strawberries may also have potential benefits for brain health.
The results of this study provide more evidence that focusing on foods like leafy greens, fish, and other plant-based options may be beneficial for cognitive health.
This study was led by Dr. Puja Agarwal and published in the Neurology journal, marking another step in understanding how diet might influence brain health over a lifetime.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and blood pressure problem at night may increase Alzheimer’s risk.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and epilepsy drug may help treat Alzheimer’s disease.
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