A recent study at Columbia University found that following a Mediterranean-style diet could reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by as much as 40%.
The study tracked 2200 men and women for 4 years and found that the ones whose diet most closely matched the Mediterranean-style diet were the least likely to develop the disease. It is thought that the protective effect comes from the diet’s nutritional makeup which could help reduce oxidation, inflammation or arterial blockages which could all be possible contributors to the cognitive decline found in Alzheimers.
The Mediterranean diet, as defined for the study, consists of vegetables, fruits, legumes and unsaturated fats from fish and olive oil and moderate on alcohol ( a little red wine, of course) and other fats.
Foods that are limited in the Mediterranean diet include, red meats, sweets and desserts, eggs and butter.
