Research Round-Up: Fruits, Veggies’ Effect on the Brain, Mediterranean Diet and CVD Risk

Fruits and Veg Bring Long-Term Brain Benefit

Eating fruits and vegetables long-term is linked to late-life subjective cognitive function, researchers say. In the study, which began in 1986, repeated food questionnaires of over 27,000 men (average 51 years old) were collected and analyzed every four years until 2002. Higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and fruit juice 18 to 22 years before cognitive assessment were significantly associated with lower chances of moderate or poor subjective cognitive function. Daily orange juice, compared to less than one serving a month was associated to substantially lower odds of poor cognitive function.

(Neurology, November 2018)

Reduce CVD Risk with Mediterranean Diet

Following a Mediterranean style diet (MED) may reduce risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 25%, compared to those who do not follow the diet, according to researchers. Using data from the 12-year-long Women’s Health Study of nearly 26,000 women in their late 40s to early 60s, researchers associated a higher MED intake with a 28% relative risk reduction in biomarkers associated with CVD risk, including inflammation, glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and fat storage. Benefits to the heart were similar to the benefits from statins or other comparable medications.

(JAMA Network Open, December 2018)

Plant-Based Diet Benefits Mood

People with type 2 diabetes (which is often associated with depression) who follow plant-based and vegan diets may experience improved mood, according to London researchers. The review of 11 studies included over 400 participants total, divided into control and intervention groups for an average of 28 weeks. Depressive symptoms significantly improved only in those patients adhering to a plant-based/vegan diet and the overall quality of life (physical and emotional) improved only in the plant-eating groups.

(BMJ, November 2018)

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