Plant-Based Diets Can Slow the Decline of Cognitive Skills

No dietary plan can guarantee a healthy brain as we age. Nonetheless, following a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and dairy products can help maintain a healthy mind. Choosing healthy fats like olive or canola oil, over saturated fats, and protein from fish and plants is also a good idea. Research shows that plant-based diets that include nutritious vegetables may slow cognitive deterioration. Specifically, a recent study revealed that the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet can prevent or reduce the decrease of cognitive abilities.

The traditional cuisine of Greece, Italy, and other countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea comprise the Mediterranean diet. The diet consists mostly of plant-based foods, including whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, seeds, spices, and herbs. Most of the fat in the diet comes from olive oil. In moderation, dairy, poultry, and fish are permissible. Eating sweets and red meat should be infrequent. 

Because the MIND diet incorporates foods from the Mediterranean and DASH diets, let's discuss the DASH Diet. The DASH diet is an eating regimen meant to treat or prevent hypertension. The acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension is DASH. The diet comprises potassium, calcium, and magnesium-rich foods. These minerals aid in blood pressure regulation. The diet prohibits high-sodium, high-saturated-fat, and added-sugar foods.

The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) eating pattern promotes a healthy brain health. The MIND diet combines elements of the Mediterranean and DASH diets. The MIND diet incorporates items from the Mediterranean and DASH diets that help boost cognitive function and protect the brain from age-related conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Kale, spinach, and collard greens and other green leafy vegetables are MIND dietary staples.

In a study, researchers combed the ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Web of Science electronic databases to identify brain-healthy diets. And the researcher discovered evidence indicating that plant-based diets can promote brain function. The researchers determined that the MIND diet enhanced memory, focus and cognition. And that the Mediterranean diet improved cognitive capacities. Healthcare providers should educate their patients on the cognitive benefits of plant-based diets based on the findings of this study.

-------------------------------------------------------

Tags: environmental scanning, balanced scorecard, business planning, strategic management, bariatric industry analysis, weight loss industry analysis, weight management industry analysis, prediabetes