Introduction
Eating habits can have a major impact on our overall health, and a new study suggests that one particular eating habit may be the worst for dementia. The study, published in the journal Neurology, found that people who ate a diet high in saturated fat and low in healthy fats were more likely to develop dementia than those who ate a healthier diet. This #1 Worst Eating Habit for Dementia, as suggested by the study, is to eat foods high in saturated fat and low in healthy fats. Eating this type of diet can increase the risk of developing dementia, so it is important to be aware of what you are eating and make sure to include healthy fats in your diet. In this article, we will discuss the #1 Worst Eating Habit for Dementia, as suggested by the study, and provide some tips on how to Eat This Not That to reduce your risk of developing dementia.
The #1 Worst Eating Habit for Dementia, Suggests New Study — Eat This Not That
A new study has revealed the #1 worst eating habit for dementia, and it’s something that many of us are guilty of. According to the research, eating a diet high in saturated fat and low in fiber is linked to an increased risk of developing dementia.
The study, which was published in the journal Neurology, looked at the dietary habits of more than 5,000 people over the age of 55. The researchers found that those who ate a diet high in saturated fat and low in fiber were more likely to develop dementia than those who ate a diet that was higher in fiber and lower in saturated fat.
The researchers also found that those who ate a diet high in saturated fat and low in fiber were more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI) and a higher waist circumference. Both of these factors are associated with an increased risk of dementia.
So what can you do to reduce your risk of developing dementia? The researchers suggest eating a diet that is high in fiber and low in saturated fat. This means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, and limiting your intake of red and processed meats, full-fat dairy products, and fried foods.
Eating a healthy diet is just one way to reduce your risk of developing dementia. Other lifestyle factors, such as staying physically active, engaging in mentally stimulating activities, and managing stress, can also help reduce your risk.
While there are certainly plenty of reasons to take vitamin C every day and vitamin D definitely does some amazing things for your body, there’s now a very good reason to add vitamin B9 (folate) to the list of vitamins to make sure that you’re consuming on a regular basis.
That’s because research recently published in the Evidence Based Mental Health journal has shown that not ensuring that you’re getting enough vitamin B9 could be an eating habit that’s connected to developing dementia.
While looking at medical records from more than 27,000 people who were all 60 to 75 years old, researchers found that those who were deficient in folate were also “68% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia,” per EurekAlert!.
“Folate seems to influence cognitive function,” LisaYoung, PhD, RDN and a member of the ETNT medical review board, tells Eat This, Not That!.”It is crucial to the proper functioning of the nervous system and in the elderly, a deficiency may contribute to the aging brain which can elevate dementia risk.”
At the same time, Dr. Young points out that “too much folate can mask a B12 deficiency so if you have a tendency for a B12 deficiency, you should notify your MD if taking folate supplements.” Beyond that, Young adds, “It’s plentiful in food so it’s easy to get enough.”
Indeed, if you’re looking to add more vitamin B9 to your diet, Dr. Young says “it is plentiful in fruits and vegetables as well as legumes/beans—asparagus, lettuce, beans, chickpeas, broccoli, and most fruits and veggies contain folate. Its name folate even comes from foliage.” On top of that, “the bread supply (wheat bread and flour) is also fortified with folate.”
To find out more about how to make sure you’re getting enough vitamin B9 in your diet, be sure to read The 20 Best Folate-Rich Foods.
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