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.
22 June 2018
The number of older people diagnosed with cancer is set to increase dramatically over the next 20 years, according to experts.
[more...]
21 June 2018
Patients value their relationship with a GP more importantly than surgery opening times, according to new research.
Only 3% of patients with the most common type of pancreatic cancer are living more than five years after being diagnosed, new analysis has shown.
19 June 2018
An England fan has urged supporters back home to head to Russia and experience the warm welcome he's been enjoying from locals.
14 June 2018
A new, low-cost portable device to help protect communities in Columbia from contaminated water has been developed by British engineers.
12 June 2018
As we near the opening match of football's grandest celebration on Thursday, fans are beginning to arrive in enthusiastic droves in Moscow.
09 June 2018
Scientists are trialling blood tests to find out the risk expecting mothers have of delivering prematurely.
08 June 2018
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned holiday-goers that some commonly-prescribed medicines are "controlled drugs" in certain countries.
A new lung cancer drug which is said to stretch life expectancy by a year is being introduced to the NHS.
06 June 2018
As pollen counts hit their highest level this week, hay fever sufferers are likely to suffer.
05 June 2018
Care home demanded to make improvements amid "serious concerns"
30 May 2018
Academics have announced their plans to examine suicide risk in men, as well as the ways to reduce it.