It is well known that when someone following a specific diet cheats or manipulates it, they will not lose the desired weight anytime soon.
A recent study found that those who cheat on the Mediterranean diet do not reap its positive effects for brain health. Researchers from Rush University Medical Center state that adding unhealthy foods typical of the Western diet cancels out the Mediterranean diet's ability to slow down cognitive decline. Dr. Pooja Agarwal, a nutritional epidemiologist and assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Rush University, said: "A diet focused on vegetables, fruits, fish, and whole grains can positively influence a person's health, but when it is mixed with fried foods, sweets, refined grains, red and processed meats, we noticed that the cognitive benefits of the Mediterranean diet significantly diminished."
Although researchers note that the Mediterranean diet can enhance the health of individuals at any age, older adults particularly benefit from this diet in slowing the rates of mental and cognitive decline associated with aging. The study examined over 5,000 Chicago residents over the age of 65 from 1993 to 2012. Every three years, participants completed cognitive tests to assess changes in their basic thinking and memory skills, and they were consistently asked to accurately report the foods they consumed.
Additionally, the study looked at how closely each participant adhered to the traditional Mediterranean diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, legumes, olive oil, fish, potatoes, grains, and moderate amounts of red wine. From there, the researchers evaluated the number of elements from the typical Western diet added by each person to their daily meals, which included fried foods, refined grains, red and processed meats, full-fat dairy products, and sweets.
**The Mediterranean Diet Can Keep Cognitive Abilities Younger Longer:**
When comparing these diets against individual cognitive test scores, the study revealed that participants who strictly adhered to the Mediterranean diet demonstrated slower rates of cognitive decline compared to others. The researchers also reported that participants who enjoyed adding some elements from the Western diet gained no cognitive benefits from consuming healthy foods. On average, those adhering to the Mediterranean diet had brains approximately six years younger than their peers who included some Western diet foods.
Dr. Agarwal stated: "Western diets may negatively affect cognitive health, as individuals who received the highest benefits from the Mediterranean diet compared to those who received the least had brains and cognitive abilities that were approximately 5.8 years younger." Notably, the report found no statistically significant differences related to participant age, sex, race, or education level. Researchers also adjusted for smoking habits and body mass index among older adults, yet the results remained consistent even after considering this information and aspects.
