Eating a healthy diet between the ages of 48 and 70 – and keeping waistlines in check – could protect brains from decline, research suggests.
A study found a lower waist-to-hip ratio in midlife is linked to better working memory and executive function in older age, while healthy diets seem to benefit brain structure.
Executive function refers to mental skills such as working memory, having flexible thinking and self-control.
The researchers, writing in the journal Jama Network Open, said: “The global shift toward unhealthy dietary habits is associated with an increase in the prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, all of which are known risk factors for dementia.
“The World Health Organisation guidelines recommend a balanced diet with a high plant intake (e.g. the Mediterranean diet) and weight management to reduce the risk of dementia.
“It is therefore important to consider the implications of overall diet and central obesity for memory and associated brain regions, such as the hippocampus.”
The study included 512 people whose diet was assessed several times across 11 years, and 664 people whose waist-to-hip ratio was assessed over 21 years.
Scans such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), together with cognitive performance tests, were carried out at an average age of 70 to see what had happened.
The study concluded: “The findings suggest that interventions to improve diet and manage central obesity might be best targeted in middle to older age.” – PA Media/dpa
