The research
A 2023 study published in the BMC Medicine journal found that following the Mediterranean diet may be associated with a lower risk of dementia. The study, which analyzed over 60,000 participants, compared the risk of dementia in those who closely followed the diet over the nine years of the study.
The outcomes showed promising results: independent of genetic predisposition, those with a closer adherence to the Mediterranean diet showed a significantly lower risk of developing dementia, enforcing the importance of diet in preventing cognitive decline.
Mediterranean diet 101
The Mediterranean diet, which gleans inspiration from the cuisines of countries like Greece, Italy, and others that border the Mediterranean Sea, focuses on foods that are predominantly plant based and contain healthy fats. This dietary pattern has many previously established benefits, such as heart disease prevention, reduced risk of stroke and certain cancers, and healthy digestive system support.
Try it out
Since there isn’t a specific diet plan associated with the Mediterranean diet, this way of eating offers more food freedom, and simply encourages the consumption of foods that benefit your body. Ready to give it a shot? Build your eating plan around the following foods:
- fruits and vegetables
- whole grains
- legumes
- seeds and nuts
- extra-virgin olive oil
- moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and dairy products
