Have you heard of the MIND diet? Here’s how eating can help boost brain health

( Natural News ) One of the many natural ways to boost brain health is to eat the right kinds of food. And there’s a specific diet that can help keep your brain sharp and healthy – the aptly named “MIND” diet. The MIND diet, which stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay , was developed by a team of researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. It is a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets with a goal to fight dementia and cognitive decline that typically occurs with age. The Mediterranean diet centers around eating fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil and red wine, while the DASH diet also focuses on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains but is low in sodium. (Related: Eating for your MIND: Scientists combine the Mediterranean and DASH diets to prevent cognitive decline .) The food groups that the MIND diet focuses on are: Beans or legumes Berries Fish Leafy greens Nuts Olive oil Other vegetables Poultry Whole grains Wine Since the MIND diet is mainly a plant-based diet, it is loaded with nutrients that maintain brain health and prevent cognitive decline. The MIND diet provides vitamins E and C which are antioxidants that protect the brain from free radical damage. A combination of these two vitamins can prevent memory loss and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by 60 percent, according to a large study published in the journal Archives of Neurology . In addition, leafy greens are rich in vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid, which work together to prevent brain degeneration and improve brain function. Vitamin K , which is also found in green vegetables, also contributes to the prevention of Alzheimer’s. Discover how to prevent and reverse heart disease (and other cardio […]

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