Boost your brain health
Have you ever turned the house upside down looking for your keys or phone? Or walked into a room only to walk straight back out because you forgot what you came in for? You’re not alone – we all experience memory lapses from time to time. Although these can happen at any age, forgetfulness and struggling to recall things is a common part of getting older because of the changing structure and function of the brain. Research suggests cognitive decline can start as early as 45.
Some aspects of memory loss, however, are due to other causes. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are currently about 900,000 people in the UK with dementia, an umbrella term for a group of symptoms that worsen over time and include memory loss, confusion, language problems and behavioural changes. The Society estimates this number will rise sharply to more than one million by 2025.
The good news is that the condition isn’t an inevitable part of ageing. A 2020 report by the Lancet Commission suggests that 40% of cases could be delayed or prevented by tackling 12 risk factors. Evidence shows that looking after your heart health, keeping active – physically and mentally – and staying connected to other people can make a big difference.
Perhaps surprisingly, improving your diet can also have positive results. “There’s plenty of evidence that eating a healthy, balanced diet from midlife lessens the chances of cognitive decline,” says Dr Susan Mitchell, head of policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK. Two ways of eating in particular have been shown to offer protection. These are the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet – which is itself a hybrid of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. Both of these encourage the consumption of fruit and vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish, wholegrains and olive oil.
9 foods for a healthy brain
The MIND diet encourages the following foods:
GREEN & LEAFY VEGETABLES (such as kale, spinach and broccoli) – at least 6 servings per week
ALL OTHER VEGETABLES – 1 or more servings per day
NUTS – 5 or more servings per week
BERRIES – 2 or more servings per week
OLIVE OIL – as your main oil for cooking and dressing salads
WHOLEGRAINS – 3 or more servings per day
LEGUMES (including beans, lentils and soya) – 4 or more servings per week
POULTRY – 2 or more servings per week
FISH/SEAFOOD (ideally oily fish such as salmon and sardines) – at least 1 serving a week
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society analysed the diets and cognitive performance of more than 5,900 older adults. Researchers found that those who stuck most closely to either the Mediterranean diet or the MIND diet had a 30-35% lower risk of cognitive impairment than those who followed these diets less closely. Another US study, published in BMC Medicine and involving more than 60,000 people, found that strict adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a 23% lower risk of dementia.
One simple but significant change you can make to your eating habits right away is to introduce more plant-based foods. “A diet rich in fruit and vegetables, along with plenty of exercise and not smoking, keeps our heart healthy, which helps to protect our brain from diseases that lead to dementia,” says Susan.
And the more colourful the fruit and vegetables you consume, the better, according to scientists from Harvard University. In a study of more than 77,000 middle-aged men and women, the researchers found that those with the highest intake of flavonoids – powerful antioxidant plant compounds – were 19% less likely to report difficulties with memory and thinking as they aged. Blueberries, strawberries, peppers and spinach were found to be particularly beneficial, but the overriding message was to aim for as wide a variety of fruit and veg as possible to maintain optimum cognitive health.»
'Aim for as wide a variety of fruit and veg as possible for optimum cognitive health’
5 foods to limit
The MIND diet recommends limiting the following five foods:
BUTTER/MARGARINE – Less than 1 tbsp per day
CONFECTIONERY & PASTRIES – No more than 5 servings per week
RED MEAT – No more than 4 servings per week
CHEESE – Less than 1 serving per week
FRIED/FAST FOODS – Less than 1 serving per week
The MIND diet specifically points to berries as having cognitive benefits. A US study published in the Annals of Neurology looked at the diets of more than 16,000 people aged 70 and older for more than 15 years, concluding that those who ate the most blueberries and strawberries delayed cognitive ageing by up to two and a half years.
Another positive change is to eat more tuna and oily fish – such as salmon and mackerel – which are associated with better brain health and a reduced risk of dementia. A study published in the journal Neurology, which followed 2,233 people aged 65 and older, found that eating oily fish more than twice a week reduced dementia risk by 28% compared to those who ate it less than once a month. The omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish play important roles in brain function and development. It is worth noting, however, that there is no compelling evidence that omega 3 supplements improve brain function in people with dementia.
Adding nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes such as lentils and soybeans to your diet can benefit both your heart and brain health. In one study of more than 200 people in Italy aged 65 and older, researchers found an association between consuming three servings of legumes per week and higher cognitive performance.
In a review of 22 studies on nut consumption involving nearly 44,000 people, researchers found that those at high risk of cognitive decline tended to have better outcomes if they ate more nuts – specifically walnuts.
‘Tuna and oily fish such as salmon and mackerel have long been associated with better brain health’
Eating well goes hand in hand with being physically active. “Staying active helps our hearts pump blood around our bodies, delivering a vital supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain,” explains Susan. “Research suggests that, because of this, the brains of people who exercise regularly tend to be healthier, with less damage to their small blood vessels.” A mix of aerobic exercise and strength training seems most effective. A study published in JAMA Neurology involving more than 78,000 people in the UK found that those who walked 3,800 steps a day had a 25% lower risk of developing dementia. Those who walked 9,800 steps had a 50% lower risk.
Staying mentally and socially active also makes a difference. A study in PLOS Medicine found that being more sociable with family and friends in midlife is linked to better cognitive performance and a lower risk of dementia later in life. While there is no magic bullet when it comes to staving off dementia, choosing to eat a healthy diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, avoiding ultra-processed foods as much as possible and keeping alcohol intake moderate (within the recommended limit of 14 units a week) can all add up to a healthier brain.
