A recent groundbreaking study by researchers from Oxford University, University College London, and other leading institutions across Europe has found a link between midlife diet quality and waist-to-hip ratio and brain health in older age. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from the Whitehall II Study, a longitudinal cohort tracking British civil service workers since 1985, with over 10,000 participants.
The research revealed that healthier diets and lower abdominal fat in midlife were associated with improved brain health, stronger memory, and enhanced executive function in older adults. Using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010) to evaluate dietary quality, the study found that higher scores on the index linked to stronger brain connectivity, better white matter integrity, and sharper cognitive performance.
Conversely, a higher waist-to-hip ratio in midlife correlated with weakened white matter integrity, cognitive decline, and an increased risk of dementia. Researchers used advanced brain imaging techniques to visualize how midlife lifestyle factors shape the brain, emphasizing that lifestyle changes like diet and weight management play a significant role in preventing cognitive decline.
Dr. Sharmili Edwin Thanarajah from Goethe University Frankfurt highlighted the importance of systemic interventions to support healthier diets and environments for long-term wellness. The study underscores the importance of making healthy choices starting in midlife to ensure better brain connectivity, cognitive resilience, and overall well-being in older age. This research serves as a reminder that the habits formed in midlife can impact brain health in later years.
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