Although some risk factors for dementia, such as age and genetics, can’t be controlled, research suggests there are ways to reduce your chances of developing the disease. Now, new research suggests that diet may hold the key to your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

The study was published in the journal BMC Medicine It found that people who follow a Mediterranean diet have about a quarter less chance of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

This diet is based on superfoods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seafood. In other words, it is full of nutrients that help increase blood flow to the brain.

Participants who ate the most of these foods were 23% less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

As the name suggests, the diet combines the authentic lifestyles of people living in the Mediterranean.

Depending on the specific country, the diet varies slightly between regions, but is generally rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, beans, grains, cereals, fish, and olive oil.

These results [do estudo] “It underscores the importance of dietary interventions in future prevention strategies – regardless of genetic predisposition,” said Oliver Shannon, corresponding author of the study.

How was the study conducted?

The research looked at more than 60,000 Britons over the age of 60 and tracked their diet for an average of nine years.

Participants were required to complete dietary questionnaires and were scored using two measures of adherence.

The research team also took into account mutations associated with the condition.

Interestingly, the Mediterranean diet appears to benefit those who carry the APOE gene, which is linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.

The results suggest that diets rich in fish and leafy greens were particularly rich in antioxidants that protect neurons from harmful proteins.