Blog Post: Diet Proven to Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease

The revolutionary diet proven to protect against Alzheimer's disease What do blueberries, salmon, cashews, and olive oil have in common?

They all help guard against Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago have developed a new dietary plan called the MIND diet, which significantly lowers the risk of this degenerative condition. A recent study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, revealed that individuals adhering to the MIND diet reduced their risk of Alzheimer's by an impressive 53%. Even those who moderately follow the diet still see a 34% risk reduction. The MIND diet also lessens the risk of hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and other forms of dementia. Unsurprisingly, the diet aligns closely with the eating plans many health experts recommend: a variety of vegetables, lean proteins, olive oil, and red wine. It was created by merging elements of the Mediterranean diet with the DASH diet, originally designed for hypertension patients. While the exact causes of Alzheimer's remain elusive, it is often hereditary, offering hope to relatives of those afflicted with the disease. According to Russian nutritional epidemiologist Martha Clare Morris, case studies suggest that diet may play a significant role in determining who develops Alzheimer's and who does not. To adopt the MIND diet, consume plenty of the ten brain-healthy foods identified by researchers: green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, olive oil, and wine. However, it's not only about what you eat; it's also about what you avoid. Therefore, the researchers advise limiting intake of excess sugar and fat. The items below are on the avoid list.