Newsbriefs: Plant-Based Diets; Artificial Sweeteners; Brain Health
Plant-Based Diets: Not All Are Healthy
There is much evidence that plant-based diets can help prevent cardiovascular disease—but a study published July 17, 2017 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that some types of plant-based diets may do more harm than good. Researchers looked at data from 166,030 women and 43,259 men, none of whom had been diagnosed with heart disease. Over a period of 20 years, the participants completed biennial questionnaires that assessed their lifestyles, medical histories, and health behaviors. People who adhered to a healthful plant-based diet that included plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and few animal-sourced foods had a substantially reduced risk for heart disease, but people who ate plant-based diets that were high in unhealthful foods such as refined grains, sweetened beverages, French fries, and sweets had a higher risk for heart disease.
Artificial Sweeteners Linked to Weight Gain and Chronic Disease Risks
A recent review of data from numerous studies suggests that artificial sweeteners may contribute to weight gain, rather than weight loss, and increase health risks. Researchers analyzed 37 studies that followed more than 400,000 people. In seven studies with a follow-up period of six months or less, using artificial sweeteners was not consistently linked to a decrease in body weight or waist circumference. In 30 long-term studies (median follow-up 10 years), a significant association was seen between the consumption of artificial sweeteners and increases in body weight and waist circumference, as well as a greater risk for obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. The review appeared in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on July 17, 2017.
Studies Affirm Diet’s Role in Brain Health
Eating a healthy diet may help boost your thinking skills and protect against dementia later in life, according to several studies presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. Researchers examined the effects of various diets on the risk of developing memory and cognition problems. The message was clear: The healthier you eat, the lower your risk of cognitive decline later in life.
In one study, researchers focused on the connection between dementia risk and adherence to the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegeneration) diet and the Mediterranean diet alone. The MIND diet includes green leafy vegetables and other vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, olive oil (as your main cooking oil) and one glass of wine a day (optional). Greater adherence to the MIND and Mediterranean diets was associated with a 30 to 35 percent lower risk for cognitive impairment.
Another study examined the relationships between the MIND diet and dementia in postmenopausal women. Again, those who most strictly followed the MIND diet had a much lower risk of dementia than those who did not follow the MIND diet.
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