The traditional Japanese diet is characterized by foods like rice, fish and shellfish. A new study suggests that this diet is associated with a significant reduction in age-related brain shrinkage (a marker of cognitive decline and dementia), but only in women.
The risk of cognitive decline and dementia is linked to non-modifiable (such as genetic predisposition) and modifiable (such as smoking, activity physicalphysical and nutrition). For example, many studies have examined the benefits of the Mediterranean diet on cognitive health.
An advantage for women
A new study published in Nutrition Journal suggests that the traditional Japanese diet – which may represent one of the longevity secrets of centenarians in southern Japan – may protect women’s brains from age-related atrophy, compared to a typical Western diet. Age-associated brain atrophy is a common marker of cognitive decline and dementia. In contrast, the results showed no association between dietary habits and brain atrophy in men.
Researchers from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology in Aichi (Japan) and the University of Liverpool (UK) analyzed data from a large study on aging. A total of 1,636 Japanese aged 40 to 89 were followed for two years. Participants recorded everything they ate and drank over three days (including quantity), revealing three different diets: the traditional Japanese diet, the typical Western diet, and a diet rich in plants and dairy products. .
The traditional Japanese diet is characterized by foods like rice, fishfish and the shellfishshellfish (as well as fruit). Additionally, traditional Japanese foods include miso (paste of soysoy fermented), the algaealgaeTHE picklespicklesgreen tea, soy, germsgerms soy and mushroomsmushrooms. Followers of this diet consume little red meat and coffee.
