In addition to taking brain support supplements, there are many dietary decisions you can make to provide ample nutrition for the mind. In March, researchers for Spain's University of Navarra released the preliminary results of an expansive study on the benefits of the Mediterranean diet for older individuals – focusing specifically on heart health. Now, further details have been published regarding this regional cuisine and the brain.
According to ScienceDaily, the scientists – led by Dr. Miguel Angel Martinez-Gonzalez, who serves as chairman of preventive medicine and public health at the institution – discovered that study participants who stuck to a diet rich in seafood, olive oil and fresh produce with little red meat or dairy saw noticeable brain health benefits. Of the 522 people who participated, those who were assigned the Mediterranean diet reportedly displayed less substantial cognitive decline during their health screenings, which were conducted regularly for an average of 6.5 years. A separate group was required to follow a low-fat diet modeled on traditional Western fare.
The researchers gauged each participants' mental state by conducting two separate tests that targeted language, memory, orientation and abstract thinking, among other cognitive functions.
"The average scores on both tests were significantly higher for those following either of the Mediterranean diets compared with those on the low-fat option," the source states.
Though further research is necessary to corroborate these findings, it stands to reason that a diet that incorporates omega-3 fatty acids and other known brain enhancers may provide long-term cognitive benefits. Curcumin, the bioactive ingredient in turmeric, has also been shown to improve memory support.
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