The important role of the gut in maintaining brain health is suggested by research presented at the American Dietetic Association's annual meeting «Nutrition 2023» in Boston.
According to the research, taking probiotics could help prevent the memory decline that accompanies ageing. Study participants (169 people aged 52-75) with mild cognitive impairment who took the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for three months saw an increase in their cognitive function scores. This improvement was also associated with changes in their gut microbiome.
This research, the researchers noted, may pave the way for new, non-invasive treatments that harness the gut microbiome to mitigate cognitive decline in the ageing population.
Another study presented at the same conference found that olive oil boosts brain health and that regular olive oil consumption is associated with a lower risk of fatal dementia.
The researchers analyzed diet questionnaires and death records for more than 90,000 Americans, collected over more than three decades. The results showed that those who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil per day had a 28% lower risk of dying from dementia compared to those who never or rarely consumed olive oil. In addition, replacing just one teaspoon of margarine and mayonnaise with the equivalent amount of olive oil per day was associated with an 8-14% lower risk of dying from dementia.
Previous studies have also linked higher olive oil intake with a lower risk of heart disease, while the inclusion of olive oil in the Mediterranean diet has also been shown to help protect against cognitive decline.
M.Kuzinopoulou
