A high-polyphenol diet is protective against age-related brain shrinkage.
“The effect of diet on age-related brain atrophy is largely unproven.
This 18-month clinical trial longitudinally measured brain structure volumes by magnetic-resonance-imaging…Abdominally obese/dyslipidemic participants were randomly assigned to (1)-healthy dietary guidelines (HDG), (2)-Mediterranean (MED) diet, or (3)-Green-MED diet (MED diet higher in polyphenols and lower in red/processed meat). All subjects received free gym memberships and physical activity guidance. Both MED groups consumed 28g/day walnuts (+440 mg/d polyphenols). The Green-MED group consumed green-tea (3-4 cups/day) and Mankai (Wolffia-globosa strain, 100g frozen-cubes/day) green shake (+800mg/day polyphenols).
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Compared to younger participants, atrophy was accelerated among those ≥ 50 years. In subjects ≥50years, HOC decline and LVV expansion were attenuated in both MED groups, with the best outcomes among Green-MED diet participants, as compared to HDG. Similar patterns were observed among younger subjects. Improved insulin sensitivity over the trial was the strongest parameter associated with brain atrophy attenuation (p<0.05). Greater Mankai, green-tea and walnuts intake and less red and processed meat were significantly and independently associated with reduced HOC decline (p<0.05). Elevated urinary levels of the Mankai-derived polyphenols: urolithin-A (r = 0.24;p = 0.013) and tyrosol (r = 0.26;p = 0.007) were significantly associated with lower HOC decline.
A Green-MED, high-polyphenol diet, rich in Mankai, green tea and walnuts and low in red/processed meat is potentially neuroprotective for age-related brain atrophy."