Tag: Cognitive decline

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, consuming seafood at least twice per week is recommended to reap cognitive benefits. This recommendation stems from compelling scientific evidence supporting the notion that fish is good for your brain due to its rich content of essential nutrients.

A 2012 Mayo Clinic study revealed that older adults consuming 2,100 to 6,000 calories daily were more than twice as likely to develop mild cognitive impairment compared to those with lower intake. This and other research suggest that chronic overeating can indeed cause memory loss by impacting brain health through various metabolic pathways.

According to the CDC, mandatory folic acid fortification has significantly reduced deficiency rates in many countries. However, lingering or untreated low levels can lead to serious health complications over time, and it is crucial to understand the long-term effects of folate deficiency.

According to new research from the University of North Carolina, eating a high-fat, junk-food-like diet for just four days can cause abnormal activity in the hippocampus, the brain's memory hub. This groundbreaking discovery confirms that the impact of fast food on cognitive function, and specifically memory, is both rapid and significant.

Research in aged mice showed that a low-protein diet caused significant learning and memory impairment by depleting crucial neurotransmitters. So, does lack of protein affect memory? The answer is a definitive yes, as proteins and their amino acid building blocks are vital for fueling the brain’s complex communication systems.

Did you know that despite making up only 2% of your body weight, your brain consumes around 20% of your daily energy intake? To fuel this powerhouse organ and keep it functioning optimally, providing it with a complex and balanced array of nutrients is paramount for sustaining focus, sharpening memory, and protecting against cognitive decline.

Research has found that closer adherence to the MIND diet is associated with a 4% reduced risk of cognitive impairment compared to those with the lowest adherence. The MIND diet was developed by nutritional epidemiologists to specifically target and delay neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, by combining the most effective elements of the Mediterranean and DASH diets.

According to Harvard Health, the best brain foods are often the same ones that protect your heart and blood vessels. In response to the question 'What are the brain foods for Harvard?', experts point to a dietary pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats to support cognitive health and delay age-related decline.

According to a recent Harvard-led study, individuals who consumed more than a quarter of a serving of processed red meat per day experienced a 13% higher risk of developing dementia later in life. This significant finding comes from a long-term analysis of thousands of adults' dietary habits and cognitive function over several decades.

Recent studies, including a large one published in *Neurology* in January 2025, suggest that consuming processed red meat may increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This has many people asking, does red meat affect your brain, and what is the real impact?