Over 50 million people live with Alzheimer’s globally, and there’s no cure for it. This type of dementia is callous for those who suffer from it and their families, and one person develops the condition every 65 seconds in the US.
There’s no explanation about why the condition affects one person or another, but what we do know is that we must do everything we can to prevent it, and that starts with our diet. Eating these slashes your Alzheimer’s risk.
Oily Fish
Oily fish, including salmon, tuna, swordfish, mackerel, sardines and eel, are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are necessary to slow down brain degeneration. There’s a reason why so many people drink fish oil as a supplement, but eating the fish is equally effective.
Oily or fatty fish are unique, they add Omega 3s to your diet but also vitamin A and D, and they’re some of the few foods to offer this combination of nutrients — you can’t substitute them easily. The brain works best when you consume sufficient Omega 3, and it can lower the risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Legumes
There are over 20,000 legumes, but the most popular are beans, lentils, chickpeas, fava beans, mung beans and even peanuts! Legumes are fantastic because they’re an excellent source of plant-based protein and consuming them often means you need not eat so much red meat, which is not all that healthy in the long run.
Legumes might help you prevent Alzheimer’s indirectly by ensuring you have clean arteries, adequate blood pressure, low cholesterol and a proper weight. Your circulatory system is directly linked with your brain health.
Whole Grains
The thing with whole grains is that they’re more than starches. That’s why you should stay clear of white flour, which is made with grains that have lost their nutrition. Whole grains add to your diet good fats, protein and fiber, and these compounds are good for your brain health.
Eating whole grains is easy; you can buy whole grain bread or whole grain flour for your baking projects. And whole grains will not only help you prevent Alzheimer’s, but they will also help your heart and digestion.
Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds come in all shapes and sizes, literally, but they’re all authentic superfoods. Sunflower seeds, chia seeds or flax seeds — they’re all awesome. And the same goes for nuts; from almonds to cashews, you want to add them to your diet and enjoy them every day.
Nuts and seeds are packed with vitamins and minerals; they also have healthy monounsaturated oils — particularly beneficial for your brain’s health. Nuts and seeds are also a suitable replacement for your otherwise unhealthy snacks, so have them around at all times.
Avocados
Avocados are amongst the most nutritious veggies (or better said, fruits) on the planet. There’s more potassium in avocados than in bananas, and the amount of healthy monounsaturated fats is also extraordinary.
Besides, lutein in avocados, a well-known compound for its brain-protective properties. Consuming this compound significantly increased people’s memory in a study, and it can protect the brain from Alzheimer’s in the same way. Avocados will also keep your blood pressure at bay, and that’s good for your brain as well.
Olive oil
Olive oil is the healthiest oil on the planet, and it’s because it’s not extracted from grains but cold-pressed from olives — there’s a great deal of healthy fats in olive oil, the kind that can lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
The brain and heart are interlinked, and what affects one also damages the other. And although there’s no direct link between heart problems and Alzheimer’s, high blood pressure caused by chronic inflammation can surely damage the brain and could cause degenerative diseases.
Alzheimer’s Is No Joke, But You Might Prevent It
In some ways, food is medicine. After all, our bodies are complex, and although we can’t explain certain degenerative conditions, like Alzheimer’s, we do know that being healthy and eating all the right stuff could help you prevent them.
The best part is the food on this list is more than nutritious, but it’s also delicious! So why not add some nuts, seeds, fish and avocados to your diet? You might be dodging a bullet there, so stay healthy and stay safe!
