EBN- Some foods can make a big difference in your health; therefore, you should monitor your diet well; to know what you eat and protect your physical and mental health.
Researchers have recently discovered that food helps prevent cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease; as some nutrients are able to take good care of brain health; so what are the details?
The MIND
diet has been identified through many scientific studies as an ideal way of nutrition; to prevent neurodegenerative diseases, according to Top Sante magazine. The MIND diet combines the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet; it contributes to delaying neurodegeneration, by consuming foods rich in vitamins B6, B9, and B12. This system allows you to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and foods rich in antioxidants known to slow brain aging.
Olive oil to protect the brain
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2022 highlighted a specific ingredient that could play a significant role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease . This ingredient is available in almost every household: extra virgin olive oil.
Why olive oil? Because olive oil is known for its ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, thanks to the antioxidants it contains.
According to researchers, olive oil is a major contributor to brain development, which helps combat cognitive decline. Therefore, this oil could have a positive effect on stopping Alzheimer’s disease from the start.
The antioxidants and monounsaturated fatty acids found in extra virgin olive oil help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, two factors strongly linked to cognitive decline. This is a good reason to start eating the Mediterranean diet, or MIND, where olive oil has a large place.
Other benefits of olive oil
What are the most important benefits of olive oil? Nutritionist Abeer Abu Rajili answers the following:
Olive oil has scientifically proven anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation is a major contributor to diseases such as cancer, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Olive oil helps reduce bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, and it also reduces heart and artery diseases, by fighting clotting resulting from eating fatty foods, which is the cause of blood clots.
According to a group of recent studies, olive oil contributes to reducing the risk of breast cancer by a good percentage, and preventing colon and rectal cancer, respiratory system cancers, and upper digestive system cancers.
Olive oil contributes to weight management; scientific studies have shown that diets that include extra virgin olive oil ultimately lead to weight loss.
Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and other antioxidants that are important for skin health, anti-aging, and minor skin allergies.
It also helps fight osteoporosis, thanks to its content of many polyphenol components that have special biological properties, which may constitute an effective prevention against osteoporosis.
Food to limit to prevent Alzheimer’s
Perhaps the most important thing to work on is to limit ultra-processed foods, and even completely eliminate them. These foods include products such as cold cuts, various types of cakes and pastries, ready meals, and other processed products that contain high levels of added sugar, excess salt, and hydrogenated fats, which are very harmful to the health of the body in general and to the health of the brain in particular.
These poor nutrients lead to the release of inflammatory molecules, which leads to depression, anxiety, and dementia , which includes Alzheimer’s disease
