The Best Foods To Help Prevent Alzheimer’s

Getting older raises many concerns that you may not have had in the earlier stages of your life, such as thinking about what you can do to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. While the thought of such a fate can be quite scary, particularly if you have had to witness a loved one struggle with it, quite a bit of research shows that it is possible to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the simplest, yet most effective ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease is to adjust your eating habits to promote brain health.

Alzheimer’s disease is sometimes referred to as “diabetes of the brain” for good reason; research shows ties between metabolic disorders and brain function. Those same foods that cause high blood sugar levels and diabetes are linked to Alzheimer’s disease as well. Our bodies require healthy food for fuel, and our brain is no different.

White foods such as bread, pasta, rice, flour, and sugar (of course!) may induce memory loss by spiking the blood sugar and insulin levels in your body. This sends toxins straight to the brain. Many experts argue that wholegrain breads are no healthier for the brain, as the body reacts to wholegrain breads in the same way it does to white breads.

Other foods that have been linked with Alzheimer’s include processed meats and cheeses: cold cuts, bacon, sausages, American cheese, Cheez Whiz, and mozzarella sticks to name a just a few.

Unfortunately, beer makes the list too. Beer is full of nitrates, which are also linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

The good news is that there are still many delicious foods to choose from that promote brain health and help to prevent Alzheimer’s.

Many seniors like to adopt the Mediterranean diet which is basically loads of vegetables and leafy greens, beans, fish, and olive oil. The Mediterranean diet is a great way to get your healthy fats, also known as omega-3 fats. These healthy fats have been proven to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, as the acid found in omega-3 fats reduces beta-amyloid plaques which deteriorate the nerve cells in the brain. Cold-water fish such as mackerel, tuna, salmon, sardines, and trout, are a great source of healthy fats.

Generous amounts of fruit and vegetables are essential to any healthy lifestyle. They are full of vitamins and antioxidants that keep your brain happy and healthy. The best practice advice is to enjoy every color of the rainbow, as the more colorful your plate is, the more nutritious it is.

Drinking tea on a regular basis slows down the brain’s aging process, while enhancing memory. The best teas for your brain are white teas and oolong teas. To enjoy their benefits to the maximum, drink two to four cups per day.

Combine your healthy diet with a relatively active lifestyle and stay socially engaged to help keep Alzheimer’s disease at bay.

At Fairview Rehab & Nursing Home in Queens, NY, we offer a varied, interesting, and healthful range of meal options every day, giving you every chance to eat the best foods to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.