According to recent research, it’s best to stick to a Mediterranean diet for brain health as you get older. This study highlights the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet, known as a healthy diet, on the cognitive health of older adults. [사진=바르셀로나 대학]
【News Quest = Science Reporter Kim Hyeong-geun】 According to the latest issue of the food journal “Molecular Nutrition and Food Research”, it is best to stick to a Mediterranean diet for brain health as you get older.
A new study published in the journal highlights the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet, also known as the healthy diet, on cognitive health in older adults.
The study, conducted by Professor Mireia Urpi-Sarda of the Department of Food and Nutrition at the University of Barcelona, provides information on the biological mechanisms that underlie the positive effects of diet on brain aging.
Following a Mediterranean diet as you get older helps prevent dementia.
The study was conducted over 12 years as part of the European Joint Programming Initiative – A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life (JPI HDHL).
This study was conducted on 840 people aged 65 years and older from the Bourdeaux and Dijon regions of France, the majority of whom were women, and none of them had cognitive impairment such as dementia at the start of the study. .
The research team created a dietary metabolomic index for the food groups that make up the Mediterranean diet based on biomarkers obtained from the participants’ serum. The research team explained that this index can be used to evaluate the relationship between the intake of the Mediterranean diet and cognitive impairment.
Key biomarkers in this study included levels of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, polyphenol metabolites from gut microbes, and other phytochemicals.
The research team monitored biomarkers, such as the healthy omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, present in foods consumed in the participants’ Mediterranean diet every few years and performed neuropsychological assessments on each participant throughout the study.
The research team assessed cognitive impairment using five neuropsychological tests over a 12-year period. As a result, it was found that there was a clear correlation between the serum biomarker index and the reduction of cognitive decline in older adults due to consumption of the Mediterranean diet.
The study was conducted by Professor Mireia Urpi-Saad of the Department of Food and Nutrition at the University of Barcelona.
Dr. Mercè Pallàs from the Institute of Neuroscience of the University of Barcelona highlighted the importance of the approach and said: “The dietary pattern index designed on the basis of food intake biomarkers is a more accurate and objective”.
The research team explained that through these indices they were able to evaluate the relationship between the intake of the Mediterranean diet and cognitive impairment.
It is also helpful in preventing heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes in the general public.
“Through a panel of dietary biomarkers, we found that adherence to a Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with long-term cognitive decline in older adults,” said the study’s lead author, Dr. Alba Tor-Roca.
The Mediterranean diet, inspired by the traditional eating habits of Mediterranean countries, is known for its many health benefits, including promoting heart health and reducing the risk of chronic disease.
This diet emphasizes the consumption of plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Among these, olive oil is a heart-healthy fat that replaces animal fat and is a staple of this diet.
Additionally, one of the main characteristics of the Mediterranean diet is its emphasis on fresh, whole foods and minimal processing.
Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Whole grains, such as whole wheat, oats, barley and brown rice, provide more fiber and nutrients than refined grains.
The protein source in the Mediterranean diet is mainly of plant origin, with legumes such as beans, lentils and chickpeas playing an important role.
Fish and seafood are also important. It’s also a good idea to eat fish and seafood at least twice a week, which provide heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Consume poultry, eggs, cheese and yogurt in moderation and limit red meat and sweets.
2024-01-07 05:41:53
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