How a Healthy Diet Like the Mediterranean Diet Protects Brain Health
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- A new study has found that metabolites from healthier diets may help protect brain health across different races and ethnicities.
- Diet is an important source of many metabolites that are indicators of many aspects of health.
- Previous studies have found that certain metabolites such as lipids, amino acids and steroids are associated with cognitive decline and dementia.
A new study by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital further confirms what we already know about the relationship between diet and cognition: what we eat can affect brain health. did.
Metabolites from healthier diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, were associated with stronger cognitive function, while metabolites from a high-sugar diet were associated with lower cognitive function, according to the report.
The researchers also showed that these findings can be generalized to different races and ethnicities.
“Studies like this show that what we eat can have a profound effect on brain function. It can have a huge impact on your mental and physical health. brain energySaid.
Researchers wanted to understand how metabolites (substances produced by the body during digestion) affect cognition.
Different types of foods produce different metabolites, some associated with positive health outcomes, while others are consistently associated with adverse health outcomes.
“Some metabolites are very healthy and good for us (e.g. B12 helps with nerve function, which is why we want to make sure we have enough if we are vegan. ) said Dana Ellis Hunnes, Ph.D., senior clinical dietitian at UCLA Medical Center and assistant professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
The research team assessed metabolite levels and cognitive function scores in 2,222 Hispanic and Latino individuals, 1,365 Europeans, and 478 African Americans.
Second, metabolites previously associated with cognition
The research team found that six metabolites, four of which are sugars or sugar derivatives, are associated with cognitive decline. consumption and a Mediterranean diet, and was associated with stronger cognitive function.
Findings are generalizable across all racial and ethnic groups involved.
Researchers believe that metabolites may be biomarkers of the relationship that underlies diet and cognitive function. We didn’t find one, but we hope that future research will explore how metabolites directly affect cognition.
Paula Doebrich, MPH, RDN, registered dietitian at Happea Nutrition, says the study should be interpreted with caution because it has several limitations.
“This study only highlights the importance of sticking to an overall healthy diet for long-term health, and what can be done from a dietary perspective to prevent cognitive decline. We do not provide specific data about
While this study reaffirms that people on poor-quality diets may be at higher risk for chronic disease, the findings should not be used to make specific dietary recommendations.
Other potential factors known to influence cognitive health, such as socioeconomic status, physical activity, and social support, were not included in the assessment, and participants’ sugar intake was not measured. It’s been difficult to pinpoint specific dietary recommendations for boosting brain health.
Diet is an important source of many metabolites that are indicators of many aspects of health.
“In general, healthy plant-based foods tend to be rich in healthy, safe, and beneficial metabolites, while less healthy foods (highly processed) have negative effects on cognition. It contains many unsafe and unhealthy metabolites that give
past
Whether and how metabolites directly affect cognition is still unknown, but researchers say there are clear links between cognition and various metabolites. Additionally, metabolites may be biomarkers that help scientists better understand brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Researchers say this relationship is likely to be a two-way street, with diet affecting our cognition and cognition affecting our diet.
“This study is correlative and does not prove that hyperglycemia and sugar metabolites directly cause cognitive impairment. Indeed, they found evidence of ‘reverse causation.’ This means that pre-existing cognitive impairment can influence people’s dietary choices,” says Palmer.
Ultimately, the findings highlight the importance of adhering to a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
“Eat more unprocessed whole foods, such as the Mediterranean diet, and cut back on processed foods that are high in sugar and low in vitamins and minerals,” Hunnes said.
Doebrich
“Remember that cognitive health is tied to lifestyle habits other than diet, such as social interaction, having hobbies, good sleep hygiene, physical activity, and alcohol and substance abuse.
A new study confirms that what we eat can affect brain health. have found that certain types of foods are associated with better or worse cognitive health. It shows that there is a fundamental relationship between them and emphasizes the importance of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
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