During a recent study, researchers from the Boston University School
of Medicine found that by eating more plant-based food such as berries
and green leafy vegetables, while limiting consumption of foods high in
saturated fat and animal products, one can slow down heart failure (HF)
and ultimately lower your risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
These
findings appear in the British Journal of Nutrition. Heart failure (HF)
affects over 6.5 million adults in the US. In addition to its
detrimental effects on several organ systems, the presence of HF is
associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Similarly,
changes in cardiac structure and function (cardiac remodeling) that
precede the appearance of HF are associated with poor cognitive function
and cerebral health.
The adoption of diets, such as the
Mediterranean diet (MIND) and the Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension (DASH), which are characterized by high intakes of
plant-based foods are among lifestyle recommendations for the prevention
of HF.
However, whether a dietary pattern that emphasizes foods thought to promote the maintenance of neurocognitive health also mitigates changes in cardiac structure and function has been unclear until now.
The
researchers found the MIND diet, which emphasizes the consumption of
berries and green leafy vegetables while limiting intakes of foods high
in saturated fat and animal products, positively benefited the hearts'
left ventricular function which is responsible for pumping oxygenated
blood throughout the body.
The researchers evaluated the dietary and
echocardiographic data of 2,512 participants of the Framingham Heart
Study (Offspring Cohort), compared their MIND diet score to measures of
cardiac structure and function and observed that a dietary pattern that
emphasizes foods thought to promote the maintenance of neurocognitive health also mitigates cardiac remodeling.
According
to the researchers, previous studies have highlighted the importance of
diet as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia.
"Our
findings highlight the importance of adherence to the MIND diet for
better cardiovascular health and further reduce the burden of
cardiovascular disease in the community," explained corresponding author
Vanessa Xanthakis, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and
Biostatistics at BUSM and an Investigator for the Framingham Heart
Study.
Although Xanthakis acknowledges that following a healthy diet
may not always be easy or fit with today's busy schedules, people should
make a concerted effort to adhere to healthy eating to help lower the
risk of disease and achieve a better quality of life. (ANI)
