Follow MIND diet for brain health

Recent study found the MIND diet can slow cognitive decline in stroke survivors. Published: by Interim HealthCare Maintaining a well-balanced diet and regular workout routine can be critical for managing brain health, leading researchers to study the specific types of foods and exercises that can be the most beneficial. In a recent study conducted at the Rush University Medical Center, a team of researchers analyzed how the MIND diet can slow cognitive decline , especially in stroke survivors. They presented their results in January at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2018. Considering stroke survivors are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia , their results could be a catalyst for effective prevention methods. “The MIND diet supercharges the nutritional content of what we eat.”

What is the MIND diet?
The researchers tested the MIND diet, which is a combination of the Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diets. Dr. Laurel J. Cherian, lead author, vascular neurologist and assistant professor in the Neurological Sciences department at Rush University, explained the diet as “a way to supercharge the nutritional content of what we eat.”

The idea is simple: Eat all of the foods that lower the risk of disease and avoid those that are unhealthy and potentially harmful. According to Healthline, foods to eat include green, leafy vegetables, fish, grilled chicken, turkey, berries, nuts, olive oil, whole grains, beans and even one glass of wine a day. The five main foods to avoid are red meat, butter, pastries and sweets, cheese and fried cooking. The diet limits the consumption of these foods because they’re high in saturated and trans fats.

The MIND diet was created specifically to improve brain function and prevent dementia, and has been associated with reducing risk of cognitive decline . Plus, it is ranked fifth on two U.S. News and World Report lists: Best Diets Overall and Best Diets for Healthy Eating.

How can diet help stroke survivors?
To determine the benefits of the MIND diet for stroke survivors, Cherian and her research team studied 106 participants from 2004 to 2017. All participants had a history of stroke for cognitive decline and symptoms such as trouble with reasoning and memory. They were grouped by how strictly they adhered to the MIND diet, from high to moderate to low. The researchers monitored their eating habits with food journals and assessed their cognitive performance each year.

The results showed that the more strictly the participants followed the diet, the slower their rate of cognitive decline. The researchers believe there is enough evidence for the MIND diet to be considered a powerful tool for protecting brain health in stroke survivors. It’s also likely that this simple diet can be an effective way to improve and preserve brain health even in those who haven’t had a stroke.