Apparently you should eat ~these~ foods to boost your brain health

No one wants to hear, “Eat your vegetables!” And, TBH, we hate to be the bearers of bad news — but you definitely should eat your veggies.

You see, a new study has landed and it says eating vegetables, fruits, and cereals can help boost brain health. So, why not make it a belated, healthy New Year’s resolution to eat things that will make your brain happy?

Fruits and veggies aren’t the only factors in keeping your brain healthy. Apparently, a Mediterranean diet is ideal for your brain. Essentially, that means eating plenty of olive oil, beans, and cereal grains like wheat and rice in addition to fruits and vegetables. It also means eating fish, dairy, and wine in moderation. On the other hand, it’s best to eat limited amounts of red meat and poultry.

"As we age, the brain shrinks and we lose brain cells which can affect learning and memory." Michelle Luciano, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, explained.

The researchers gathered the information of Scottish participants around the age of 70. Basically, participants had an MRI brain scan at about age 73. The scan measured overall brain volume. It also measured gray matter volume, and thickness of the cortex (the outer layer of the brain). Then, most of those participants returned for another scan about 3 years later.

The researchers compared the measurements to how closely the participants followed a Mediterranean diet. While participants varied in their adherence to the diet, the findings suggest that those who didn’t follow it had a higher loss in totally brain volume than those who did. Those results stayed the same even when researchers adjusted for other factors that affect brain volume, like age or high blood pressure.

“In our study, eating habits were measured before brain volume was, which suggests that the diet may be able to provide long-term protection to the brain,” Luciano continues. “Still, larger studies are needed to confirm these results.” [/quote]

Of course, these findings aren’t 100% conclusive; science is a process, after all. Still, whether it’s your brain, your overall happiness, or a New Year’s resolution, you should probably commit to eating plenty of fruits and veggies.