How Proper Nutrition Can Improve Brain Health In Seniors
Home care providers can help senior make healthy lifestyle choices that make a positive impact on their overall wellness
The decline of cognitive functions is a serious health concern in the senior population. Both professional and family home care providers worry about cognitive difficulties that may occur as a result of aging, constantly looking for ways to boost brain functions in those they care for. According to a recent study, one of the most effective ways to improve brain health in seniors is through eating a healthy diet. Namely, researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland have come to the conclusion that the Mediterranean diet can significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline in seniors.
How the Mediterranean Diet Helps Keep the Brain Healthy
The research focused on studying the connection between dietary habits and brain volume in 967 seniors between the ages of 73 and 76. No participant in the study had dementia. When the study began, the seniors first provided the researchers with information about their dietary habits through a questionnaire. Afterward, the participants had an MRI scan that measured their brain volume, grey matter volume, and the thickness of their cortex. After three years, the seniors had another MRI so that the researchers could compare the results of the first and second MRI.
After comparing all the results, the researchers discovered that the average senior lost 1% of their brain volume during three years. However, those seniors who ate a Mediterranean diet lost only 0.5% of their brain volume. Basically, by following the Mediterranean diet, seniors can reduce brain volume loss and thus prevent cognitive decline.
What is The Mediterranean Diet?
Professional home care providers recommend that seniors switch to the Mediterranean diet in order to keep their brains in optimal health for longer. The Mediterranean diet is the traditional diet of people living in the areas around the Mediterranean Sea, such as Italians, Tunisians, Turks, and others. The diet is most likely so good for the brain because it predominately consists of eating plant-based foods and healthy fats while minimizing the intake of sugars and trans-fats.
Here's a detailed breakdown of the Mediterranean diet:
- High intake of fruits, veggies, nuts, whole grains, and legumes
- Moderate intake of dairy, fish, and seafood
- Low intake of red meat and sugars
- Herbs and spices for flavoring meals; salt reduced to a minimum
- Olive oil use instead of butter
Additional Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is not just good for the brain, it comes with a myriad of other health benefits. As expert home care providers point out, this diet can drastically improve cardiovascular health in seniors. As a matter of fact, it may be more beneficial for
Visiting Angels Can Help
If you are looking for an easy yet proven way to lower your loved one's risk of cognitive decline, you should definitely encourage them to switch to the Mediterranean diet. There are many resources online that can help you figure out which groceries to buy and which recipes to make according to this diet. If you need a bit of help with taking care of your loved one, Visiting Angels home care providers can support your loved one as they age. Our caregivers can shop for groceries, plan meals, and prepare dishes for your loved one to help them eat a healthier diet that is truly good for them.
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