A research published online in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia found that people who follow the MIND diet could decrease their risk for Alzheimer's disease, Doctors Lounge reported.
The MIND diet, which includes poultry, vegetables, grains, fish and beans, combines principles of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet. Both diets call for increased intake of fish, vegetables and fruits. Also, the DASH and Mediterranean diets have been associated with a reduced risk for heart disease, according to WebMD. The MIND diet emphasizes the importance of blueberries, green leafy vegetables and plant-based foods.
Scientists examined food questionnaires from more than 900 men and women aged 58-98 years. They tracked the participants for four to five years. During that time, the study participants also underwent repetitive neuropsychological testing.
Out of 923 people, nearly 144 developed Alzheimer's disease. Participants who stuck to the DASH diet decreased their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by 39 per cent. The study participants who followed the MIND diet decreased their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by 53 percent, while those who followed the Mediterranean diet reduced their risk by 54 percent.
Martha Clare Morris, the study author, said that people who consume healthy foods also engage in other healthy behavior; however, the MIND diet offered protection against Alzheimer's disease whether other healthy behaviors were present or not.
She further said that the study results indicate that the longer people follow the MIND diet, the higher the protection against Alzheimer's disease. Morris added that further study is needed to verify the results.