A scientific study, led by a Greek researcher, suggests that eating foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, chicken, etc.) and avoiding meat, saturated fats and dairy foods may be linked to preserving memory and thinking abilities. The study focuses on the importance of a Mediterranean diet in order to avoid old age dementia. The research team, led by Georgios Tsivgoulis, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the School of Medicine of the University of Athens and the University of Alabama and a member of the American Academy of Neurology, published its findings in the medical journal “Neurology”, journal of the aforementioned Academy.

The research team analyzed diet information from 17,500 Americans and Europeans, with an average age of 64 and studied the relevance of their habits with a Mediterranean diet. Additionally, they were given tests that measured memory and thinking abilities over an average of four years. A total of 17 percent of the participants had diabetes, while seven percent developed certain impairments in their thinking during their study. The study found that in healthy people, those who followed more closely a Mediterranean diet, were 19 percent less likely to develop problems relating to memory and thinking abilities.

However, a Mediterranean diet was not associated with a lower risk in people with diabetes. “Since there are no treatments with satisfying results for most diseases that involve dementia, a change in habits like diet, that may delay its development, is very important,” noted Tsivgoulis.

“Diet is an important habit that may be subjected to changes that may help preserving thinking abilities until a very old age,” he added. Source: ANA/MPA

Greek Foodosophy shopping mall aspires to become the center of Mediterranean diet in Greece, promoting the products of the Greek countryside which have been grown, bred, or caught in a traditional way. Through relevant conferences, symposia and speeches, Greek Foodsophy mall will also promote Mediterranean Diet as a symbol of health, well-being and longevity but also as a factor of economic growth.