Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
09 January 2017 08:09
A Med diet might help older adults maintain bigger brains, research suggests
People may be able to enjoy better brain health in later life by following a Mediterranean diet, research has suggested.
By following such a diet over a period of three years, the study indicates that people can experience less age-related brain shrinkage compared to others.
To undertake the study, the research team conducted brain scans on just over 400 people in their seventies. The participants also revealed details of their diets.
After three years, the people who adhered most closely to a Mediterranean diet had significantly greater brain volume compared to their peers, the scientists said. They noted that d iet accounted for roughly half of the variation in brain volume which was seen across all the study participants.
Following a Mediterranean diet
So what is the Mediterranean diet? It simply involves eating the type of food which is consumed in countries based around the Med - things like vegetables, fruits, olive oil, beans and cereal grains.
This type of diet also includes moderate amounts of fish, dairy products and wine, although it's not heavy on red meat and poultry.
Taking a holiday to a Mediterranean country could be the ideal way to learn more about this way of life. Older holidaymakers can make use of seniors travel insurance to protect themselves during their time away from home.
Boosting brain health
Commenting on the latest study, lead researcher Dr Michelle Luciano from the University of Edinburgh said people's brains can shrink as they get older.
This can lead to the loss of brain cells, damaging learning and memory.
But the expert added: "This study adds to the body of evidence that suggests the Mediterranean diet has a positive impact on brain health."
Dr David Reynolds, chief scientific officer at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "This study adds to previous research highlighting the importance of this kind of well-balanced diet in maintaining a healthy brain as we age."
The findings of the research have appeared in the journal Neurology.
18 October 2018
The UK's average life expectancy is predicted to increase from 80.8 years to 83.3 years over the next 20 years, according to new research.
[more...]
17 October 2018
Family doctors are being urged to prescribe physical activity for patients living with some of the most common medical conditions.
16 October 2018
Patients with brain tumours lose out on almost £15,000 per year, a new report has revealed.
13 October 2018
Chris Grayling has given his "categorial assurance" to Parliament that a no-deal Brexit will not ground flights in and out of the UK, despite recent warnings from experts that this remains a possibility.
12 October 2018
The rising cost of fuel could force more airlines out of business, the boss of easyJet has warned.
11 October 2018
The image of the boozy backpacker might be a thing of the past as a new study suggests more and more youngsters are shunning alcohol completely.
10 October 2018
The NHS says just one in 10 drinks sold in English hospitals will be sugar-sweetened, as part of its bid to curb rising obesity levels.
09 October 2018
More than 260,000 diabetes patients were put at risk of lasting harm or even death during hospital stays last year due to medication errors, a new report has revealed.
06 October 2018
NHS patients with a specific type of lymphoma will soon be able to access a "game-changing" new treatment, health officials have revealed.
05 October 2018
People living with diabetes are being warned they might be "unwittingly" storing their insulin incorrectly.
04 October 2018
The world's first commercial jet part-powered by a new form of biofuel touches down in London on Wednesday (3rd October).
03 October 2018
New 'hotel-style' carriages that were due to be rolled out for the Caledonian Sleeper have been delayed until next year.