Eating a Mediterranean diet may protect against developing protein deposits in the brain that lead to memory loss and dementia, new research out of Germany suggests.
In those with Alzheimer’s disease and other related memory conditions, beta-amyloid proteins clump and form plaques largely responsible for the death of brain neurons. But regularly consuming more vegetables, legumes, fruit, cereals, fish and olive oil can prohibit these proteins from developing, authors explained Wednesday in Neurology.
Adults in the latter half of their lives have developed consistent eating habits. So, Michael Wagner, a professor in the Department of Neurodegeneration and Geriatric Psychiatry at University Hospital Bonn, and colleagues "analyzed whether the study participants regularly eat a Mediterranean diet—and whether this might have an impact on brain health.”
More than 500 patients with an average age of 70 participated in the study. Of which, 169 were cognitively healthy while 343 were deemed at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s due to memory or cognitive impairment, or direct relationships with others diagnosed as having AD.
Individuals filled out a detailed questionnaire listing which of 148 foods they had eaten in the past few months. Wagner and colleagues also performed brain MRI scans to assess patients’ brain volumes and potential atrophy. In 200-plus subjects, they looked at amyloid-beta and tau protein biomarkers found in cerebrospinal fluid.
Those who ate a more Mediterranean-focused diet—consuming fewer dairy products, red meats and saturated fatty acids—had lower levels of these biomarkers, the authors noted.
Brain scans showed a positive correlation between more closely following the Mediterranean diet and a higher volume in the hippocampus, a brain area that controls memory and shrinks early and severely in Alzheimer’s patients.
“It is possible that the Mediterranean diet protects the brain from protein deposits and brain atrophy that can cause memory loss and dementia. Our study hints at this," added lead author Tommaso Ballarini, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in Michael Wagner's research group. "But the biological mechanism underlying this will have to be clarified in future studies."
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.