Doctor claims these three foods could help stave off dementia and boost brain health
According to Professor Franklin Joseph, of Dr Frank's weight loss clinic, foods that are rich in antioxidants and healthy fats are believed to protect brain health.
In particular, the doctor says berries, blueberries in particular, are known for their high levels of antioxidants "which can prevent oxidative stress in the brain".
As well as fruit, he recommends consuming fatty fish, leafy greens and following a Mediterranean-style diet for the best brain health.
Explaining the benefits of each, he shared: “Fatty fish, such as salmon, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, has also been linked to lower rates of cognitive decline.
"A Mediterranean-style diet, which is rich in these foods, has shown promise in reducing the risk of dementia.
“Other beneficial foods include leafy greens like spinach, which provide essential vitamins and nutrients for brain function."
Prof Joseph says consuming these types of food regularly, along with moderate exercise "has been shown to lower the risk of cognitive impairment".
According to Alzheimers.org, there is good evidence that eating fish, which contains omega-3, is good for your health.
"There have been reports that it may reduce the risk of developing dementia, especially when it is eaten as part of a healthy diet," it claims.
"Omega-3 is important for our brain throughout life, from development in the womb to adulthood. It is thought to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain – both of which may contribute towards the development of Alzheimer's disease."
According to a study in 2022, results found that eating fish or taking fish oil supplements did not affect Alzheimer’s disease risk, however it reportedly reduces the risk of dementia as a whole, including vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia.
A further study however had conflicting results. The website states: "It's important to think that the participants did not have controlled diets – they were just reporting what they ate.
"It could be that the people who eat fish may have a healthier diet overall, for example, a Mediterranean diet."
One larger study has suggested that sticking to a Mediterranean diet could reduce dementia risk by up to 23 per cent.
The diet includes lots of healthy foods such as; whole grains, fruits, vegetables, seafood, beans, and nuts.