Mediterranean Diet Linked to Improved Memory and Cognitive Health in New Study

Research from Tulane University suggests the diet's benefits may stem from altering gut bacteria, with potential implications for young adults.

A Tulane University study found that the Mediterranean diet significantly improved memory, cognitive flexibility, and working memory in lab rats compared to a Western diet.
The diet's effects are linked to changes in gut bacteria, including increases in beneficial types such as Candidatus Saccharimonas and decreases in bacteria like Bifidobacterium associated with poorer cognitive outcomes.
The Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, fish, fiber, and plant-based foods, also helped maintain lower levels of LDL cholesterol in the test subjects.
The study used young rats to model the impact of diet during critical developmental periods, suggesting parallels for young adults' brain and body health.
Researchers emphasize the need for large-scale human studies to explore how dietary choices influence gut microbiota and cognitive function.