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Late Diet Shift Fights Dementia Risk
9 Apr
Summary
- A high-quality plant-rich diet may prevent cognitive decline.
- Starting a healthy diet in later life can lower dementia risk.
- Unhealthy plant-based options increase dementia likelihood.
It is never too late to adopt a healthy diet to protect your brain, according to recent research. A study published in the journal Neurology found that older adults who embraced high-quality, plant-rich eating patterns, including whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, experienced a reduced risk of cognitive impairment.
Over a decade, participants who cut out many unhealthy foods saw an 11% lower risk of Alzheimer's and dementia. This protective effect was observed even for those who began their dietary changes in their late 50s and 60s.
Conversely, individuals who increasingly consumed less healthy plant-based options, such as refined grains and sugary foods, faced a 25% higher risk of developing dementia. The research emphasizes that the quality of a plant-based diet is crucial for brain function as we age.
The study included nearly 93,000 diverse participants, averaging 59 years old, and tracked their diets over 10 years. The findings underscore the importance of prioritizing nutrient-dense plant foods over processed alternatives for long-term cognitive health.
