The Mediterranean diet improves memory by changing the bacterial balance.

The Mediterranean diet may promote brain development by changing the balance of bacteria in the gut.

This was established by a new study by scientists from Tulane University (USA).

Scientists found that individuals who ate a Mediterranean diet had significantly different gut bacteria than those who ate a typical Western diet. These bacterial changes correlated with better memory and cognitive abilities.

We know that what we eat affects brain function, but this study looked at how that might happen, the researchers noted. “Our results suggest that dietary choices may influence cognitive function by altering the gut microbiome.

In this study, researchers assessed for the first time the effects of a Mediterranean diet on microbiota and cognitive function compared to a Western diet in a rodent model.

The researchers used young rats, roughly equivalent in age to 18-year-old humans, to model the effects of diet during a critical period of development. The diets were based on human consumption and used ingredients that reflected the complexity of the human diet.

Animal studies found that:

• Rats that ate a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, fish and fiber for 14 weeks had an increase in four types of beneficial gut bacteria and a decrease in five others compared to rats that ate a Western diet high in saturated fat;
• these bacterial changes are associated with improved performance on maze tasks designed to test memory and learning. Specifically, higher levels of bacteria such as Candidatus Saccharimonas were associated with better cognitive performance, while higher levels of other bacteria such as Bifidobacterium were correlated with worse memory function;
• The Mediterranean diet group also showed better cognitive flexibility—the ability to adapt to new information—and better working memory compared to the Western diet group. They maintained lower levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein).

In summary, the Mediterranean diet has demonstrated clear benefits for cognitive flexibility, memory, and gut health, indicating potential parallels in younger adults whose brains and bodies are still maturing.

Our findings suggest that the Mediterranean diet or its biological effects could be used to improve academic performance in adolescents or work productivity in young adults, the researchers note. link the Mediterranean diet to improved memory and a reduced risk of dementia.

At the same time, the scientists note that larger human studies are needed to confirm these effects and better understand the complex relationship between diet, gut bacteria and brain function in young people.

Source: Racurs

David

I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.