Although the phenomenon of brain aging is an inevitability of human life—at least for the present moment—emerging research suggests there are potential methods to decelerate cognitive decline. A recent study has illuminated the critical influence of blood sugar levels on the rate at which the brain undergoes aging.
This research is the culmination of efforts by an international consortium of scientists who sought to build upon a 2022 investigation that established associations between dietary patterns and brain atrophy. Previous findings indicated that adherence to the Mediterranean diet, particularly the modified green variant characterized by increased plant intake and reduced meat consumption, correlated with diminished neurological degeneration.
In this new inquiry, the researchers were intent on discerning the underlying mechanisms that may elucidate this correlation. Their findings revealed a robust relationship between lower blood sugar markers and reduced incidence of brain shrinkage and neuronal death, phenomena that are typically exacerbated with age.
“Sustaining low blood sugar levels, even within normative ranges, exhibits promise in preserving cognitive vitality, especially when amalgamated with a nutritious diet and habitual physical exercise,” asserts Iris Shai, the senior author and an epidemiologist at Ben-Gurion University in Israel.
Data were procured through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 224 participants, averaging 51 years, diagnosed with obesity or elevated triglycerides. Over an 18-month timeframe, participants were divided into three cohorts, each adhering to distinct dietary regimens: the Mediterranean diet, the green Mediterranean diet, or a standard nutritious diet.
The convergence of findings regarding slower brain aging in conjunction with the Mediterranean diets, particularly the green variant and lower blood sugar levels, strongly suggests interconnectivity—reinforced by the prior 2022 study.
Notably, those who incorporated ample green tea and Mankai duckweed beverages as components of the green Mediterranean diet exhibited the least decline in brain tissue integrity. This observation posits that plant-based foods may confer neuroprotective benefits.
“In particular, polyphenols inherent in plant-rich diets may traverse the blood-brain barrier and mitigate brain inflammation, a critical factor for maintaining cognitive function,” explains Shai.
Although direct causation cannot be definitively ascribed to the observed data, there is compelling evidence to suggest that Mediterranean dietary practices are beneficial for cognitive health— underscored by an array of preceding studies. Within this framework, it appears that low sugar levels and a high consumption of plants serve as pivotal components.
Brain aging, while an inherent facet of the human experience, accelerates the susceptibility to cognitive decline and associated neurological disorders. Enhancing our understanding of this process equips us with the knowledge to potentially intervene through dietary modifications.
“This study presents a viable avenue toward decelerating cerebral aging—through the adoption of the principles inherent in a green Mediterranean diet,” articulates lead author Dafna Pachter, another esteemed epidemiologist at Ben-Gurion University.
This research was disseminated in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Vocabulary List:
- Phenomenon /fəˈnɒmɪnən/ (noun): An observable fact or event.
- Decelerate /diːˈsɛl.ə.reɪt/ (verb): To reduce the speed of; slow down.
- Cognitive /ˈkɒɡnɪtɪv/ (adjective): Related to the mental processes of perception memory judgment and reasoning.
- Correlate /ˈkɔːrəˌleɪt/ (verb): To show that a relationship exists between two variables.
- Neuronal /njʊˈrɒnəl/ (adjective): Of or relating to neurons or the nervous system.
- Amalgamated /əˈmælɡəˌmeɪtɪd/ (adjective): Combined; united or fused to form a single entity.
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