Mediterranean Diet Helps to Preserve Memory

Previously, a number of studies have shown that adherence to a Mediterranean diet – rich in olive oil, nuts, as well as fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and limited amounts of dairy products, red meat, soda drinks, processed meats, and sweets – inversely associates with cardiovascular risks.   Georgios Tsivgoulis, from the University of Athens (Greece), and colleagues analyzed data collected on  17,478 African-American and Caucasian men and women, average age 64 years, enrolled in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. The researchers reviewed dietary information to see how closely the participants adhered to a Mediterranean diet. The team also administered tests to measure memory and thinking abilities over an average of four years.  Seven percent (7%) of the participants developed impairments in their thinking and memory skills during the study.  The investigators found that in healthy people, those who more closely followed the Mediterranean diet were 19% less likely to develop problems with their thinking and memory skills. The study authors conclude that: “Higher adherence to [Mediterranean Diet] was associated with a lower likelihood of [incident cognitive impairment] independent of potential confounders.”