Enriching the Mediterranean diet could nourish the brain more effectively

The increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders represents a challenge to the global health of all nations and populations, particularly with increasing longevity. Urgent prevention strategies are therefore needed, and one opportunity may be to explore the relationship between dietary patte...

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Main Authors: Pasquale Picone, Antonella Girgenti, Miriam Buttacavoli, Domenico Nuzzo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1489489/full
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author Pasquale Picone
Antonella Girgenti
Miriam Buttacavoli
Domenico Nuzzo
author_facet Pasquale Picone
Antonella Girgenti
Miriam Buttacavoli
Domenico Nuzzo
author_sort Pasquale Picone
collection DOAJ
description The increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders represents a challenge to the global health of all nations and populations, particularly with increasing longevity. Urgent prevention strategies are therefore needed, and one opportunity may be to explore the relationship between dietary patterns and brain health which has emerged as a promising strategy. Numerous studies indicate that dietary choices have a significant impact on cognitive function, memory and the risks of neurological disorders, recognizing the dynamic role of diet in maintaining cognitive abilities. One of the most studied dietary styles, the Mediterranean diet, characterized by healthy, plant-based foods fats and moderate consumption of animal products, has demonstrated its neuroprotective potential. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and polyphenols, this diet shows consistent associations with cardiovascular health and cognitive function. Some less talked about foods, such as seaweed, blackcurrants, Lion’s Mane mushroom and chia seeds, are emerging as potential brain health boosters. These and other new foods could enrich the Western diet making it capable of effectively preventing neurological disorders. Despite promising scientific data, difficulties persist in understanding the complex relationship between nutrition and brain health. Individual variability, long-term dietary adherence, comorbidities, and the need for rigorous clinical evidence pose obstacles. In this review, we would like to focus our attention on the future of brain-diets, which should involve accessible, personalized and evidence-based interventions, providing hope against the challenges posed by neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, as research progresses, more and more attention are being placed to brain health, promising a harmonious and resilient cognitive landscape for individuals and society.
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spelling doaj-art-444c53dc7dcc45c7b4feb35f171324362025-08-20T01:52:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2024-11-011110.3389/fnut.2024.14894891489489Enriching the Mediterranean diet could nourish the brain more effectivelyPasquale Picone0Antonella Girgenti1Miriam Buttacavoli2Domenico Nuzzo3Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, ItalyInstitute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), University of Palermo, Palermo, ItalyInstitute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, ItalyThe increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders represents a challenge to the global health of all nations and populations, particularly with increasing longevity. Urgent prevention strategies are therefore needed, and one opportunity may be to explore the relationship between dietary patterns and brain health which has emerged as a promising strategy. Numerous studies indicate that dietary choices have a significant impact on cognitive function, memory and the risks of neurological disorders, recognizing the dynamic role of diet in maintaining cognitive abilities. One of the most studied dietary styles, the Mediterranean diet, characterized by healthy, plant-based foods fats and moderate consumption of animal products, has demonstrated its neuroprotective potential. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and polyphenols, this diet shows consistent associations with cardiovascular health and cognitive function. Some less talked about foods, such as seaweed, blackcurrants, Lion’s Mane mushroom and chia seeds, are emerging as potential brain health boosters. These and other new foods could enrich the Western diet making it capable of effectively preventing neurological disorders. Despite promising scientific data, difficulties persist in understanding the complex relationship between nutrition and brain health. Individual variability, long-term dietary adherence, comorbidities, and the need for rigorous clinical evidence pose obstacles. In this review, we would like to focus our attention on the future of brain-diets, which should involve accessible, personalized and evidence-based interventions, providing hope against the challenges posed by neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, as research progresses, more and more attention are being placed to brain health, promising a harmonious and resilient cognitive landscape for individuals and society.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1489489/fullneuroprotectiondiet modelMediterranean lifestylebrainfood for brain
spellingShingle Pasquale Picone
Antonella Girgenti
Miriam Buttacavoli
Domenico Nuzzo
Enriching the Mediterranean diet could nourish the brain more effectively
Frontiers in Nutrition
neuroprotection
diet model
Mediterranean lifestyle
brain
food for brain
title Enriching the Mediterranean diet could nourish the brain more effectively
title_full Enriching the Mediterranean diet could nourish the brain more effectively
title_fullStr Enriching the Mediterranean diet could nourish the brain more effectively
title_full_unstemmed Enriching the Mediterranean diet could nourish the brain more effectively
title_short Enriching the Mediterranean diet could nourish the brain more effectively
title_sort enriching the mediterranean diet could nourish the brain more effectively
topic neuroprotection
diet model
Mediterranean lifestyle
brain
food for brain
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1489489/full
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AT antonellagirgenti enrichingthemediterraneandietcouldnourishthebrainmoreeffectively
AT miriambuttacavoli enrichingthemediterraneandietcouldnourishthebrainmoreeffectively
AT domeniconuzzo enrichingthemediterraneandietcouldnourishthebrainmoreeffectively