A total of 1,647 adults took part in the study, which was published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry and followed participants for an average of 12 years.
Participants who followed the MIND diet showed fewer signs of age-related brain deterioration.
Among other things, they experienced less loss of gray matter and better preservation of the hippocampus, the part of the brain that plays a key role in memory.
The strongest effects were observed in people over the age of 60.
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A healthy diet is not enough
The MIND diet is based on the Mediterranean diet and a dietary approach developed to help lower blood pressure.
It includes leafy green vegetables, berries, nuts, legumes, fish, poultry, and olive oil.
The researchers emphasize that the study only shows an association. It does not prove that diet alone protects the brain.
Physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight may also have contributed to the results.
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The surprising food
Cheese was one of the foods associated with the greatest preservation of gray matter and the hippocampus.
According to the researchers, aged cheeses in particular may contain nutrients such as vitamin K2 and bioactive peptides that could benefit the brain and blood vessels.
At the same time, they recommend avoiding ultra-processed cheeses. However, the findings only show an association and do not prove that cheese itself prevents disease.
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