Elderly people may make a big contribution to their brain health by eating a healthy diet, according to a Scottish study.
The findings come from a study of the so-called Mediterranean diet, linking consumption to MRI brain scans, reported last night.
Researchers found that a diet high in vegetables and pulses retained more brain volume than those who failed to comply with the diet.
But there was little evidence that consuming fish – thought to be a key part of the Mediterranean diet – made much difference.
Some 967 people signed up to the study at the age of 70. Out of these 562 underwent brain scans at the age of 73 – and 401 underwent further scans at 76.
Researcher Dr Michelle Luciano, of Edinburgh University, reported that differences in diet explained 0.5% of the variation in total brain volume.
However there was no link between diet and grey matter volume or cortical thickness, Dr Luciano reported in the journal Neurology.
Dr Luciano said: “In our study, eating habits were measured before brain volume was, which suggests that the diet may be able to provide long-term protection to the brain.
“Still, larger studies are needed to confirm these results.”
She added: “This study adds to the body of evidence that suggests the Mediterranean diet has a positive impact on brain health.”
Neurology 4 January 2016
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