The study involved 89 volunteers who had no problems with cognitive functions at the beginning of the experiment. Scientists sought to assess the impact of eating habits on the risks of developing depression and Alzheimer's disease. Depression is known to be a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease: approximately 40% of elderly people diagnosed with dementia develop it within 27 months.
The scientists assessed the participants' diets in terms of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seafood. Additionally, blood parameters were analyzed at the beginning of the experiment and after 18 months. The participants also provided detailed questionnaires about their psycho-emotional state. The findings are published on the website of Edith Cowan University.
It turned out that the lowest score for adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with the highest risks of depression and Alzheimer's disease, which were assessed by changes in the blood, such indicators as neurofilaments NfL - indicators of dementia, Parkinson's disease and other diseases.
“Dietary factors can influence brain health through inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular function, neuroplasticity, and the gut-brain axis. These biological pathways regulate neurotransmitters and neural function, which ultimately influence mood and cognition,” concluded study author Samantha Gardener.
Recently, other scientists have found that the Mediterranean diet improves the integrity of white matter, which is responsible for the brain's ability to effectively transmit signals between neurons. Thus, a healthy, balanced diet is an important measure to prevent this incurable neurodegenerative disease.
