The Mediterranean diet continues to create excitement amongst nutritionists and none more so after further supporting evidence has been published about its benefits to improving human longevity, health and fitness. The diet is one which is rich in vegetables, grains and fruits, fish, and olive oil and with moderate intakes of alcohol, usually red wine. It also implies a generally healthier lifestyle by cutting out red meat, reducing the amount of saturated fats consumed, no smoking and greater activity.
It may help us keep our brain cells functioning properly especially in the elderly and as we age, according to recent research published in the journal Neurology. This study involved 674 people with an average age of 80 and demonstrated that those who were following a Mediterranean-style diet had ‘larger’ brains. The researchers used MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanning to analyse the brains. Indeed, according to measurements of volume, they had five millilitres (mls) more nerve cells and 6.41 millilitres (mls) more nerve fibres than those following different diets. It appears that eating more fish and less meat was also associated with less brain shrinkage, according to this study. The findings have been equated with the notion that those with less shrinkage had brains that were five years younger.
The lead scientist Dr Yian Gu, at Columbia University in New York, claimed:
“These results are exciting, as they raise the possibility that people may potentially prevent brain shrinking and the effects of ageing on the brain simply by following a healthy diet.”
Nutritionists and doctors alike recommend eating at least three to five ounces of fish a week or eating no more than three and a half ounces of meat a day. Previous research on the Mediterranean Diet has highlighted the possibility of reducing the risk of heart disease and some cancers, as well as lowering odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease and brain degenerative diseases. It remains to be proved conclusively whether it is the diet itself, individual aspects of that diet such as olive oil, red wine or other factor, or a combination of other lifestyle choices that are the reasons for the benefits enjoyed, especially by the aged.
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