Lower Occurrence of Alzheimer’s Indicators Linked to Diet Rich in Green Leafy Vegetables

According to research published in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, those who eat diets rich in green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, beans, nuts and fish may have fewer amyloid plaques and tau tangles in their brain, which are signs of Alzheimer's disease, than those who do not consume such diets. The study was released on March 8, 2023, in the online version of Neurology®.

This research suggests that individuals who incorporate green leafy vegetables and other vegetables, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, beans, nuts, and fish into their diets may have a lower occurrence of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in their brains, both of which are indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. It is suggested that a Mediterranean-style diet include vegetables, fruit, and at least three servings of fish per week. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collard greens should be a priority when following the MIND Diet, with berries being the preferred type of fruit. It is also recommended to have one or more servings of fish per week. It is recommended to consume small amounts of wine.[0]

581 participants, with an average age of 84, consented to donate their brains for the purpose of furthering research into dementia when the study was conducted.[1] The participants filled out yearly surveys inquiring about how much of certain food items they consumed.[2] 39% of those who had died had been diagnosed with dementia prior to their passing.[3] Upon autopsy, 66% of the individuals were found to have met the criteria for Alzheimer's disease.[1]

The MIND diet consisted of 15 categories.[4] The participants were allotted a score ranging from 0 to 15, with 1 point being assigned to each of the 10 brain-friendly food groups, comprising of green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, olive oil, and wine.[3] If they ate more than the recommended amount of food from the five unhealthy food groups of red meats, butter and margarine, cheese, pastries and sweets, and fried and fast food, they would lose a point.[1]

Individuals who consumed the greatest amount of green leafy vegetables, which was seven or more servings per week, had amounts of plaque in their brains suggesting they were almost 19 years younger than those who ate the least, with one or fewer servings per week.[5]

0. “Autopsies Show Relationship Between Alzheimer's Pathology and Diet in Older Adults” Medpage Today, 8 Mar. 2023, https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/alzheimersdisease/103459

1. “MIND and Mediterranean Diets Associated with Fewer Alzheimer’s Plaques and Tangles” Newswise, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.newswise.com/articles/mind-and-mediterranean-diets-associated-with-fewer-alzheimer-s-plaques-and-tangles

2. “Alzheimer’s: This Might Hold The Key To Living Longer With A Younger And Disease-Free Brain” Revyuh, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.revyuh.com/news/lifestyle/health-and-fitness/alzheimers-this-might-hold-the-key-to-living-longer-with-a-younger-and-disease-free-brain

3. “Eating leafy greens ‘associated with fewer brain proteins linked to Alzheimer's'” Belfast Telegraph, 8 Mar. 2023, https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/eating-leafy-greens-associated-with-fewer-brain-proteins-linked-to-alzheimers/2054802195.html

4. “New Study Reveals Promising Method to Delay and Reduce Sticky Brain Plaques Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease” Revyuh, 8 Mar. 2023, https://www.revyuh.com/news/lifestyle/health-and-fitness/new-study-reveals-promising-method-to-delay-and-reduce-sticky-brain-plaques-linked-to-alzheimers-disease

5. “Mediterranean diet, MIND diet linked to fewer Alzheimer's signs in brain, study finds” CBS News, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mediterranean-mind-diets-linked-fewer-alzheimer-signs-study/

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