Understanding how we age could help us live longer, healthier lives. A recent study from the University of Illinois and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that our diet may play a key role in how our brains age.
The researchers studied 100 volunteers aged 65 to 75, comparing their brain scans with their nutritional intake. They found that certain diets, similar to the Mediterranean diet, were linked to slower brain aging.
"We investigated specific nutrient biomarkers, such as fatty acid profiles, known in nutritional science to potentially offer health benefits," says neuroscientist Aron Barbey from the University of Illinois. "This aligns with the extensive body of research in the field demonstrating the positive health effects of the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes foods rich in these beneficial nutrients."
Rather than relying on participants` self-reported diets, the researchers analyzed blood samples to identify nutrient biomarkers. This method provided solid evidence of what the participants were eating.
Key beneficial nutrients identified included fatty acids (found in fish and olive oil), antioxidants like vitamin E (in spinach and almonds), and carotenoids (plant pigments in carrots and pumpkin). Choline, found in egg yolks, organ meats, and raw soybeans, was also associated with slower brain aging.
The researchers used MRI brain scans and cognitive tests to assess brain aging, providing a comprehensive picture of mental agility and brain structure.
"This allows us to build a more robust understanding of the relationship between these factors," says Barbey. "We simultaneously examine brain structure, function, and metabolism, demonstrating a direct link between these brain properties and cognitive abilities."
This study adds to the growing evidence that nutrition significantly influences brain aging. While this research provides a snapshot in time and isn`t enough to prove cause and effect, it aligns with a 2023 study that found similar results over 12 years.
The team plans to conduct long-term clinical trials to further explore how diet and nutrition impact brain aging. Simple dietary changes could potentially reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer`s.
"The present study identifies particular nutrient biomarker patterns that are promising and have favorable associations with measures of cognitive performance and brain health," says Barbey.
The research has been published in npj Aging.
