The study involved 89 volunteers who had no cognitive impairment at the start of the experiment. The researchers aimed to assess the impact of dietary habits on the risk of developing depression and Alzheimer's disease. Depression is known to be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease: approximately 40% of older adults diagnosed with dementia develop dementia within 27 months.
Scientists assessed the participants' diets for adherence to the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seafood. Blood tests were also analyzed at the beginning of the experiment and after 18 months. Participants also completed detailed questionnaires on their psycho-emotional state. The findings were published on the Edith Cowan University website.
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 blood indicators such 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, ultimately affecting 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 preventative measure for this incurable neurodegenerative disease.
