FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Adopting ‘MIND' diet as you age can slash dementia risk by up to 25%, study finds

- MARTIN BAGOT HEALTH EDITOR

IMPROVING our diet as we get older can slash our risk of dementia by as much as a quarter.

Scientists analysing a special diet known to improve brain health say their findings show that it is never too late to start improving how we eat.

A study of 90,000 Americans looked at the MIND diet, which combines a traditional Mediterranean menu with the blood pressure-lowering DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) one.

It includes brain-healthy foods such as leafy greens, berries, nuts, olive oil as well as fish and chicken.

There is a focus on plant-based foods that are minimally processed, with limits on animal-based foods high in saturated fat and added sugars.