The study, published in the journal Neurology, looked at the extent to which people followed the MIND and Mediterranean diets and found that those who ate in these ways had fewer signs of Alzheimer's disease in the brain. Specifically, they had fewer amyloid plaques and tau tangles, two key markers of the disease.

The Mediterranean diet encourages the consumption of lots of vegetables, fruits and at least three servings of fish each week. On the other hand, the MIND diet focuses more on green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and coleslaw, while encouraging the consumption of other vegetables and fruits. It recommends eating at least one serving of fish per week. Both diets also include small amounts of wine.

The study involved 581 participants with an average age of 84 when their diets were assessed. These participants agreed to donate their brains after death for Alzheimer's research. Each year, they completed surveys about their eating habits. On average, they died seven years after the study began, and when their brains were examined, 66% of them met the criteria for Alzheimer's disease. 

Researchers found that people who followed the MIND and Mediterranean diets had significantly less plaque and tangles in their brains. This suggests that a diet rich in healthy foods may help protect the brain as we age.

One of the most striking findings involved green leafy vegetables. People who consumed at least 7 servings per week had brain plaque levels similar to those of a person who was almost 19 years younger than those who consumed one or fewer servings per week.

Although this study shows a strong link between diet and brain health, it does not prove that eating these foods directly prevents Alzheimer's disease. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

However, the results support the idea that good nutrition can help keep the brain healthy. In addition to a nutritious diet, other lifestyle factors - such as regular exercise - may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. | BGNES