Dementia is a common brain disease that occurs in older adults, causing memory loss, disorientation, impaired judgment, and affecting daily activities. Although there is no certain way to completely prevent dementia, research suggests that leading a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of developing dementia. A healthy lifestyle begins from our diet, so read on to learn more about the healthy foods that fight dementia now!
Nuts are Good for Your Brain
Nuts contain a lot of vitamins and nutrients like vitamin B, vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy fats. These nutrients are shown to be able to reduce the risks of cognitive impairment and other signs of dementia. Nuts are easy to eat and can be added to other foods like yogurt and salad. Try adding nuts like almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, and peanuts to your daily diet to improve your cognitive health.
Maintain Your Brain Health with Berries
There are many types of berries such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, raspberries, and blackberries that older adults can consume to maintain good brain health. Berries are incredibly full of antioxidants and vitamins that help to reduce inflammation and promote cognitive health. Research has also found that berries can improve memory in both children and older adults. Berries not only taste delicious, but they are also painless for older adults to consume because they are soft and easy to chew. For older adults with severe chewing and swallowing problems, you can blend berries into juice for easier consumption.
Green Leafy Vegetables Help Fight Dementia
Vegetables are well-known for their health benefits, and green leafy vegetables are especially good for promoting cognitive health. Vegetables like kale and spinach are examples of leafy vegetables that contain high levels of essential vitamins that improve cognitive function. In addition, a study found that people with higher levels of folate, a vitamin that can be found in green leafy vegetables, are less likely to develop dementia. Leafy vegetables are also very versatile as they can be prepared in many different ways including in soups, stews, salads, and more.
Eat More Fish for Better Brain Health
The main component in fish that promotes brain health is omega-3, which may have substantial benefits in reducing the risks of cognitive decline. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids include sardines, tuna, trout, and salmon. Daily intake of omega-3 is typically quite low, so to maintain a healthy amount of omega-3 in your body, you can consult your doctor on whether you should take DHA supplements.
Discovery Village At Melbourne Offers Healthy Meals to Fight Dementia
At Discovery Village At Melbourne, we aim to reignite the joy of dining for our residents in the SHINE® Memory Care program. Specially-prepared gourmet meals are packed with nutrients for the better health of the residents in the program. We provide a calm environment for our residents to eat in and with consistent dining times, our residents can focus on their meals without worry. We encourage our residents to participate in their own meal times as far as possible, but assistance is provided as needed.
