Resorting to MIND Diet may Slow Cognitive Decline in Stroke Survivors

Regular consumption of green vegetables, berries, fish and olive oil, as part of a special diet known as MIND diet which promotes brain health, may help slow cognitive decline in stroke survivors, suggests new study.

MIND diet - short for Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, is a hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets.

MIND Diet - Health Benefits & Diet Plan
MIND diet is a healthy meal plan which is designed to lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease, improve cognition and to sharpen memory.

‘MIND diet does not only lower the risk of heart attacks and stroke, but also makes the brain resilient to cognitive decline.’

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Both have been found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, heart attack and stroke.

Participants who scored highest on the MIND diet score had substantially slower rate of cognitive decline than those who scored lowest.

"We found that MIND diet has the potential to help slow cognitive decline in stroke survivors," said lead author Laurel J. Cherian, a vascular neurologist and Assistant Professor at Rush University in Chicago, US.

Hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH Diet, 'MIND Diet' may Slow Brain Aging by 7.5 Years
Older adults who followed the MIND diet more rigorously showed an equivalent of being 7.5 years younger cognitively than those who followed the diet least.

"I like to think of the MIND diet as a way to supercharge the nutritional content of what we eat. The goal is to emphasise foods that will not only lower our risk of heart attacks and stroke, but make our brains as resilient as possible to cognitive decline," Cherian added.

The MIND diet has dietary components, including "brain-healthy food groups" -- whole grains, green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, poultry and berries, fish, along with a glass of wine.

New 'MIND Diet' can Protect Against Alzheimer's Disease
It is a hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets, and can help cut Alzheimer's risk by 53%.

The diet also specifies limiting intake of the the unhealthy groups -- red meat, butter, cheese, pastries and sweets, and fried or fast food.

The diet has been previously associated with the reduced risk of Alzheimer's in elderly.

Lower the Risk of Memory Decline With Mediterranean Style Diet
Green leafy vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, seafood, poultry, olive oil, and wine lower the risk for memory difficulties in older adults.

For the study, presented at the 2018 American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles, the team examined 106 participants from 2004 to 2017, with a history of stroke for cognitive decline, including decline in one's ability to think, reason and remember.

Source-IANS