This Diet Could Reverse Brain Ageing, Study Suggests

Researchers at the University of Negev in Israel found that the Mediterranean diet – abundant in vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil – can put the brakes on brain aging linked to obesity.

Originating from Italy, Greece, parts of Spain, France, Middle Eastern and North African countries, the Mediterranean diet favors fresh produce, lean proteins, and olive oil packed with antioxidants over processed foods and red meat. The research showed that this diet could roll back the clock on your brain by almost nine months!

The study involved 102 participants whose brain scans were taken before making any lifestyle changes. Over the course of 18 months, participants followed one of three diets: a classic Mediterranean diet, a modified version with additions like green tea, or a diet based on average dietary guidelines. Researchers kept tabs on blood biomarkers, body weight, fat deposition, liver function, cholesterol levels, and the brain’s changes.

Interestingly, participants shed about 5 pounds on average during the trial. For every 1% body weight lost, their brains appeared nearly nine months younger compared to their actual age. Additionally, participants following Mediterranean diets showed a slowed brain aging, which correlated with reduced liver fat and improved lipid profiles.

Gidon Levakov, a neuroscientist at Israel’s Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the study’s lead author, highlighted that “our study underscores the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including lower consumption of processed food, sweets, and beverages, in maintaining brain health.”

It’s important to note that the study did have its limitations. Most participants were women, and there was no control group of people not following any diet. However, these findings do align with other research showing the myriad of health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet. For example, a separate study in the journal Heart discovered that women sticking to this plant-based diet have nearly a 25% lower risk of heart disease and premature death.

So, ready to rewind your brain’s age? Ditch those processed foods and welcome the bounty of the Mediterranean diet to your table. As you savor the diverse flavors, remember: you’re not just treating your taste buds but also gifting your brain a youthful glow!

Related Content:

• Octopuses Can Redesign Their Brains When They Get Cold
• Brain Power: Plant-Based Foods That Are Good For Your Mental Health
• The Invisible Threat: How Microplastics in Everyday Items Can Impact Our Brains
• How Americans Have Been Brainwashed into Spending So Much on Bottled Water
• Brain-Eating Amoeba Fueled by Climate Change

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!