The MIND Diet for Brain Health
The MIND Diet for Brain Health
If you search “healthy eating,” you might see a number of articles on eating for heart health and gut health. But nutrition impacts many other body systems too. Eating for brain health is an emerging area of research that explores potential benefits related to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Studies on eating for brain health focus on the principles of the Mediterranean Diet and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet. From the foundations of these diets, the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) Diet was developed in 2015.
These ways of eating are all rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds and other heart-healthy fats such as olive oil. The MIND Diet specifically emphasizes leafy green vegetables (kale, spinach, Swiss chard, bok choy) and berries. The MIND Diet also promotes fewer servings of refined grains (such as those in desserts), red meat, cheese, fried foods and butter per week.
For more information on evidence-based ways of eating to support health, read about 10 benefits of the Mediterranean Diet and also tricks to reduce salt intake.
Ten simple recipes that incorporate principles of the MIND Diet:
