SPAIN—A recent study conducted at the Biomedical Research Institute in Barcelona and published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that following a Mediterranean diet with additional portions of olive oil or mixed nuts could help protect brain function.
The study included about 500 participants who were told to follow one of three different diets. One group was told to follow a Mediterranean diet supplemented with one extra liter of virgin olive oil per week. The second group followed a Mediterranean diet supplemented with 30 grams of mixed nuts per day (walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds). Finally, the last group was the control group and was told to follow a low-fat diet instead of a Mediterranean diet.
The team measured cognitive change in all of the participants by using multiple tests over a span of 4 years that focused on memory, global cognition, and frontal cognition. At the end of the study, the researchers found that the two groups that followed a Mediterranean diet saw significantly more improvements in their cognitive function, compared to those who consumed a low-fat diet.
Specifically, according to study author, Dr. Emilio Ros:
"The group with nuts did better compared to the control group in memory tests, memorizing names or words, while the olive oil group did better on tests that require speed of thought, your frontal function, your executive function."
The researchers noted that a Mediterranean diet typically bases meals around fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and fish.
If you are interested in protecting your brain function as you age, you might want to consider following a Mediterranean diet.
Have a great day.
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