Perhaps people who want to stay sharp should consider following a Mediterranean-style diet. Scientists at the University of Alabama have analyzed data from approximately 17,000 seniors who have been followed for approximately four years. The volunteers took tests of cognitive function and memory at least twice during that time.
Healthy people who stuck more closely to a diet rich in vegetables and healthy fats such as olive oil and low in sweets and meat were 19 percent less likely to drop in their cognitive test scores. People with type 2 diabetes did not experience such a protective effect, however.
Some health experts find the Mediterranean-type diet worrisome because it is high in fat, fairly high in salt (think olives, anchovies and Parmesan cheese) and includes moderate alcohol consumption. Nevertheless, numerous studies seem to suggest that not only can a Mediterranean diet be good for the brain, it also is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular complications and mortality.
[Neurology, April 30, 2013]
The People's Perspective on Medicine