Washington Post reported that the study, led by Olivia Rossouw, a researcher at the University of Exeter, aimed to investigate the impact of food preferences on cognitive health and mental well-being in older adults. The researchers tracked the participants’ eating habits for an average of 11 years, monitoring their dietary preferences and their risk of developing dementia, depression… and other mental health conditions.
The findings suggested that individuals who were not fussy eaters were more likely to have better cognitive function and reduced risk of dementia compared to those who preferred limited diets. This association was particularly strong in individuals who were more likely to eat a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
According to Washington Post, the study’s lead author, Olivia Rossouw, noted that the findings may be due to the fact that people who are not picky eaters tend to have a more balanced diet… which can provide essential nutrients for brain health. The study’s results suggest that encouraging older adults to be more adventurous eaters could help promote cognitive health and reduce the risk of dementia.
The study’s findings have important implications for public health policies and interventions aimed at promoting healthy aging. By encouraging older adults to be more open to new foods and cuisines, “health professionals may be able to reduce the risk of dementia and other cognitive disorders,” “and promote overall brain health.”
More details: Found here
Older people who aren’t picky eaters appear to have better brain health than those who prefer more limited diets, according to a large study of British adults.
The research tracked the dietary preferences of nearly 182,000 older adults in Britain. The study was unusual because rather than focusing on the health effects of a particular diet, it examined the link between the foods individuals liked and disliked and their mental well-being and cognitive health.
