The MIND Diet

Berries are part of the MIND diet- part of a new diet that may prevent cognitive decline.
Berries are part of the MIND diet-  a new diet that may prevent cognitive decline.

This week- The Wall Street Journal Published an article on how nutrition may help prevent cognitive decline: http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-diet-might-cut-the-risk-of-developing-alzheimers-1429569168.

Here is a Summary:

There is a new diet which may cut the risk of Alzheimer’s and overall may help stave off memory loss and cognitive decline. This diet is mostly plant based and combines the Mediterranean diet and the heart healthy DASH diet. It promotes berries-twice a week- especially blueberries.

No surprises, the MIND diet includes at least three servings of whole grains, a salad and one other vegetable every day—along with a glass of wine. It also involves snacking most days on nuts and eating beans every other day or so, poultry and berries at least twice a week and fish at least once a week. Dieters must limit eating the designated unhealthy foods, especially butter (less than 1 tablespoon a day), cheese, and fried or fast food (less than a serving a week for any of the three), to have a real shot at avoiding the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s, according to a study by Rush University Medical Center researchers.

Overall if The MIND diet helps prevent Altzheimer’s that would be amazing. But no matter what,  this diet does tout healthy food choices and combines the best 2 diets out there today in terms of disease prevention: The Mediterranean and the DASH diet. Just another reason to eat more berries, dark green veggies, legumes, nuts, whole grains, lean meats, fish and olive oil and oh yes…wine.

The MIND diet has 15 dietary components

Green leafy vegetables
Other vegetables
Nuts
Berries
Beans
Whole grains
Fish
Poultry
Olive oil
Wine
The five unhealthy groups are

Red meats
Butter and stick margarine
Cheese
Pastries and sweets
Fried or fast food

REF: http://on.wsj.com/1O91ljt