The heart-healthy Mediterranean diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, whole grains and olive oil, has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. But it’s also great for your brain.
The diet, which is low on meat and dairy, has also been shown to slow down cognitive decline in older people. In a recent study, 300 people followed a Mediterranean diet for four years, and 145 people ate a low-fat diet.
Over the four years, both cognitive function and memory improved for people eating the Mediterranean way, while the other group experienced a decline in cognitive function.