In recent years, a vegetable-based diet model has been considered effective for disease prevention. However, new research shows that simply eating vegetables is not sufficient – the main factor is the quality of plant-based foods.
According to Medianews.az, a study conducted by the University of Hawaii in the USA and published in the journal of the American Academy of Neurology examined the effect of plant-based foods on brain health.
The study divided the participants' diet into three groups:
- Healthy plant-based diet – whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, healthy fats;
- General plant-based diet;
- Unhealthy plant-based diet – processed products, sugary drinks, refined grains.
During 11 years of follow-up, Alzheimer's or other types of dementia were identified in more than 21,000 out of 93,000 people. It was found that:
- The risk of dementia is 12 percent lower in the general plant-based diet;
- The risk decreases by 7 percent in healthy diets;
- The risk increases by 6 percent in unhealthy diets.
The difference was clearer among those who changed their eating habits over time: the risk decreased by 11 percent in those who switched to a healthy diet, while it increased by 25 percent in those who moved towards unhealthy diets.
Experts emphasize that eating vegetables alone is not enough; the choice must be correct and of quality. Although refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, and processed products are "plant-based," they can negatively affect brain health over the long term.
For a healthy life, it is not enough to eat only vegetables; proper and quality foods must be selected, especially after middle age, as even small changes can make a significant difference in the long term.
Medianews.az