Glycemic control contributes to the neuroprotective effects of Mediterranean and green-Mediterranean diets on brain age: the DIRECT PLUS brain-MRI randomized controlled trial.
In this 18-month randomized dietary trial, researchers compared healthy dietary guidelines with a Mediterranean diet and a higher-polyphenol “green Mediterranean” diet. MRI results suggested that the Mediterranean-style diets were associated with slower age-related brain-volume decline, while better blood-sugar control was also linked with more favorable brain-aging measures.
The study suggests that better glycemic control may be one reason Mediterranean-style diets support healthier brain aging. The green-Mediterranean diet also emphasized polyphenol-rich foods, and greater intake of its green tea and Mankai components was associated with more favorable brain-age measures.