Israeli researchers have found that age-related brain atrophy can be delayed by a green Mediterranean diet. It is high in polyphenols (a type of micronutrient that naturally exists in plants) and low in lean and processed meats.
The results of the study were published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on Tuesday.
The study was led by Professor Iris Shai and Dr. Alon Kaplan of the University of Negev Ben Gurion, along with several international teams of brain experts.
In this study, 284 participants aged 31-82 (all employees of the Dimona Nuclear Research Center) followed three groups (healthy diet, Mediterranean diet, and green) that followed a diet based on established guidelines. Randomly divided into (Mediterranean diets).
Both groups who ate a Mediterranean diet were given more walnuts to eat. On the other hand, the group who ate a green Mediterranean diet was given 3-4 cups of green tea and a shake made from the aquatic plant Mankai every day. Shai is an advisor to an Israeli company that sells products.
All participants underwent whole-brain MRI scans before and after the study. They also received free gym membership and did daily exercise.
Professor Iris Shy (Dani Machlis / BGU)
Researchers have found a significant reduction in age-related brain damage among those who adhered to both forms of the Mediterranean diet, with a greater reduction in damage observed among the green diet groups. discovered.
The most important improvement was seen in participants over the age of 50 — especially in the age group prone to rapid mental atrophy.
Participants who followed these two diets also showed improved insulin sensitivity. This is a further example of slowing down damage to brain activity.
“The beneficial link between a green Mediterranean diet and age-related neurodegenerative disease is partially explained by polyphenols, which are abundant in plant-based food sources, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory metabolites. “Maybe,” Shy said in a statement, micronutrients reduce inflammation in the brain and increase brain connectivity.
“Our findings may suggest a simple, safe and promising way to delay age-related neurodegeneration by sticking to a green Mediterranean diet,” Kaplan said in a statement. It is stated in.
Shy led a similar study to develop a diet that significantly reduces liver fat by adjusting the traditional Mediterranean regimen to include special greens.
