Mindframe

  While there is no one fool-proof diet guaranteed to guard against age-related cognitive decline, a series of recent studies have found a possible link between consuming certain foods and remaining sharper for longer.   Nuts We’ve known for a while that nuts are beneficial for the brain. Yes, they’re high in fat, but the brain actually needs some fat to run properly—as long as it’s the right kind. Walnuts, for instance, are a good source of those all-important omega-3 fatty acids you’ve heard so much about, the ones that help repair the cell membranes around neurons. Even if walnuts are not your favorite, though, it’s still worth grabbing a fistful of those crunchy legumes. Nuts also provide Vitamin E , which protects cells—including neurons—from free radical damage. They’re also linked with heart health, and better circulation means a better supply of blood for the brain. What’s the result of these benefits? In a 2014 study of 16,0...

"It's the healthiest thing I can think of to drink," says Dr. Christopher Ochner, nutrition research scientist at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. What trendy advance in food technology is Ochner talking about? Plain green tea, which has been regularly consumed in China for over a thousand years. Google “green tea health benefits” and you’ll find a lengthy list of dubious New Age-y claims, suggesting that regular consumption might help with everything from cancer to belly fat. However, research demonstrates that green tea improves blood flow and lowers cholesterol, in the process lowering blood pressure and decreasing risk of congestive heart failure. It does also seem to stabilize blood sugar for people with diabetes. Oh, and there’s the brain benefits. Multiple recent studies have suggested that consuming a compound found in green tea—EGCG, or epigallocatechin-3-gallate—reduces the formation of amyloid beta proteins, which occurs w...