Mediterranean Diet Benefits

The Human Brain Thanks To Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fruits And Vegetables

Nov 7, 2016 04:51 PM By Ella James

Eating a healthy diet full of fish, vegetables, and olive oil found in the Mediterranean lifestyle can improve memory.Photo courtesy of Ella James

STRESS REDUCTION

Stress has a significant impact on your overall health and well-being. It doesn’t only contribute to weight gain and poor sleep, but it also affects your memory as well. The study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found the link between stress and memory loss. Scientists at the University of Iowa discovered that elevated levels of stress hormone cortisol induce memory lapses as we’re growing older. How? It’s suspected that high amounts of cortisol are linked to the gradual loss of synapses in the prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain responsible for short-term memory.

One of the numerous benefits of adherence to Mediterranean diet is stress management, which is one more reason why you should consider making this eating pattern a part of your lifestyle. Another Australian study reported the discovery that people who follow this diet are happier, less stressed and report improved quality of life compared to those who don’t.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES BOOST MEMORY

The diet isn’t restrictive, allowing you to still eat smaller portions of red meat once a week, even sweets from time to time, but it’s primarily based on high consumption of fruits and vegetables. They’re rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other vital nutrients your body needs to function properly, and memory is no exception.

For example, the study that appeared in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that consumption of fruits and vegetables was strongly associated with verbal memory while research from the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia showed that higher intake of these food items protects from cognitive decline in both men and women.

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS ESSENTIAL FOR MEMORY

If you’ve ever visited any Mediterranean country, you already know that their menu primarily comprises of fish and other seafood options. Where there’s fish, there’s also omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for our overall health and well-being. The health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are numerous, from improved immune system to brain development and improved memory. The journal PLOS One featured a study which showed that healthy young adults could improve their working memory by increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Moreover, research published in the journal Human Psychopharmacology showed that these fatty acids allow the brain to take a break and not work as hard while still achieving a better cognitive performance.

CONCLUSION

Mediterranean diet is the healthiest diet in the world for a good reason. It helps manage weight, protects the heart, reduces the risk of diabetes, and improves memory as well as other cognitive abilities. Consider starting this diet today to improve both your mental and physical health.

Author Bio

Ella James is an aspiring author who is pursuing a Health Services Administration degree from St. Petersburg College. She is an active contributor to  Consumer Health Digest, which is a leading Health News. Get connected with her on  Facebook  and  Twitter.

Source: http://www.medicaldaily.com/mediterranean-diet-benefits-human-brain-thanks-omega-3-fatty-acids-fruits-and-403698