This habit can speed up the aging of your brain

Eating processed, sweet, or fried foods is the number one habit that can lead to premature brain aging and cognitive decline, increasing your risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. A new study published Jan. 7 in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association observed that eating foods found in the typical Western diet may actually negate the benefits of the Mediterranean diet which has been shown to be heart healthy. and the brain.

According to Eat This, Not That !, researchers followed more than 5,000 people for 20 years and found that those who followed the Mediterranean diet that emphasizes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish while avoiding red meat, processed and fried foods, had brains that were 5.8 years younger than people who strayed from the diet.

“Participants with slower cognitive decline over years of follow-up were those who adhered the most to the Mediterranean diet and limited foods that were part of the Western diet, while participants who ate more of the Western diet had no effect. beneficial on a healthy diet. components in slowing cognitive decline, ”the study authors wrote.

Puja Agarwal, Ph.D., one of the top researchers in the Rush University Medical Center study, said ScienceDaily that “a diet that emphasizes vegetables, fresh fruits, fish and whole grains can have a positive effect on a person’s health. But when it is combined with fried foods, sweets, refined grains, and red meat and processed meat, we have observed that the benefits of eating the Mediterranean part of the diet seem to diminish.

Agarwal further added that “the more we incorporate leafy greens, berries, olive oil and fish into our diets, the better it is for our aging brain and body,” according to Eat This, Not That! You will find more benefits and information about the Mediterranean diet here.