The Mediterranean Diet Keeps Your Mind Sharp
Eating a healthy diet is good for your longevity, so it should be no surprise to you that what is healthy for you is also good for maintaining high levels of mental acuity.
In a recent study, the U.S. Food Pyramid Diet Guidelines were compared with those eating a Mediterranean like diet with the results of at least two different cognitive assessments tests. This research study did an analysis of data from an ongoing longitudinal Chicago Health and Aging Project(CHAP).
The MedDiet scoring system was used to measure the participants compliance with a Mediterranean like diet, while the Healthy Eating Index was used to assess compliance to the U.S. Food Pyramid diet guidelines. Of the 2280 blacks and 1510 whites who were being assessed obviously a lot fewer ate a diet that complied with either the Mediterranean or the U.S. Food Pyramid diet guidelines. Those that had eaten a diet that was the most in compliance with the Mediterranean Diet guidelines as measured by the MedDiet scoring system experienced the least amount of cognitive decline.
The Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Healthy diet consists largely of cereals or whole grains, fruit, vegetables, legumes or high-fiber beans, fish, poultry, little or no red meat, full fat dairy products, Olive Oil, and wine. And places more emphasis on the consumption of olive oil, fish, the fourth food group legumes, and moderate alcohol intake compared than the Food Pyramid diet does.
References:
- Adherence
to a Mediterranean-type dietary pattern and cognitive decline in a community
population.
Tangney CC, Kwasny MJ, Li H, ...
Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Mar;93(3):601-7. Epub 2010 Dec 22.
PMID: 21177796 - MedDiet scoring system measures Mediterranean Diet Adherence
- Dietary Guidelines for Adults in Greece
