Recently, scientists have confirmed the previously expressed assumption about the benefits of the Mediterranean diet for the brain.
A new study has found that this diet and lifestyle improves white matter structure.
The very one that is “responsible” for the brain’s “option” to effectively transmit signals between neurons.
Briefly about the diet
Let's remember: the Mediterranean diet involves a diet with a maximum of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, fish and chicken.
It has previously been proven that such a diet has a beneficial effect on the heart, slows down brain aging, and improves its cognitive functions.
Among other things, this diet significantly reduces the level of depression in young citizens.
The essence of the study
The new study included data from 2,900 Hispanic adults aged 18 to 74 who reported their usual dietary habits.
Based on the information obtained, each participant was assigned a score for adherence to the Mediterranean diet, ranging from 0 to 9.
The average score among the subjects was five.
Scientists have found that increasing the score for following such a diet improved the integrity of white matter.
They found that those who followed the Mediterranean diet had less structural damage and increased white matter density.
Benefits for the brain
In simple terms: the more accurately a person adheres to the named diet, the better his brain works.
A drawback of the study is that the participants self-reported their diets, which means they could have made some mistakes.
For example, they might say that they eat a lot of vegetables, but in reality they consume less than 400 grams per day.
However, scientists are convinced that the Mediterranean diet has a positive effect on the brain and can protect against stroke and cognitive impairment.
Author: Pavel Gospodarik