The next time you sit down to a big, hearty bowl of perfectly al dente pasta tossed in high-quality extra virgin olive oil, your taste buds are sure to thank you – but new research shows that your brain will, too. According to a recent study by the American Academy of Neurology, eating a Mediterranean diet typical of Italian and Greek cuisines helps stave off the effects of age-related cognitive decline. At Diforti, we’ve been extolling the values of authentic Italian food for years, and this study seals the deal on its incredible health benefits. Read on to learn more about this exciting research and how you can use it to improve your own health by eating nutritious, delicious Italian dishes.
The Ideal Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet studied by the American Academy of Neurology researchers involves the high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes and cereals like rice and pasta, with olive oil as the main source of fat. Fish are eaten in moderation, dairy products and wine are consumed with a moderate to low frequency and red meat and poultry are eaten rarely.
The Science Behind the Study
Within the research, scientists looked at a group of Scottish men and women, all about 70 years of age, and measured their adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The researchers tested their brain function over a 3-year period, and found that the people who were more strictly committed to eating a Mediterranean diet demonstrated lower total brain atrophy. These results are in keeping with other studies, which have linked the Mediterranean diet to lower levels of inflammation, higher cognitive function and lowered risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
Italian Food for Better Brain Health
To integrate the Mediterranean diet into your lifestyle, the NHS recommends eating plenty of starches, lots of fruits and veg, more fish and less meat. They also highlight the health benefits of olive oil. These recommendations should be music to the ears of Italian food lovers, because these are the main components of Italian cuisine.
How can you transform your diet to be more in line with the Mediterranean style of eating? Start with a fruity Italian extra virgin olive oil. It’s perfect for drizzling on top of salads, soups and finished dishes for a bit of added richness and healthy fat.
Also make sure you’re consuming starchy carbohydrates like pastas and breads, and that you’re eating a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables every day. We like to make a nutritional powerhouse of a meal by cooking up some spaghetti, tossing it with lightly sautéed tenderstem broccoli, greens and garlic and dressing it with olive oil and a light shower of Parmigiano-Reggiano. If you’re a fan of sweet, caramelised squash, give the recipe for Whole Wheat Rigatoni with Roasted Vegetables a try – it calls for Kalamata olives, which are loaded with fibre and good fat.
For years, we’ve known that authentic Italian food makes us feel great, and we’re glad that science is getting around to recognising just how valuable it can be for our health. Diforti makes it easy to buy Italian food online because we want others to experience the beneficial effects and amazing flavours of a pure, fragrant olive oil, a lovingly prepared pasta dish or a slow-simmered pot of tomato sauce. Grab the olive oil and get cooking – after all, it’s good for your brain!