A new health mantra is that you are what you eat. Cardiologists are now saying your heart is what you eat. Neurologists and neuroscientists are saying your brain is what you eat. What’s the science behind these claims?

Kimberly Goad is a New York-based journalist who has covered health for some of the nation’s top consumer publications including Women’s Health, Men’s Health, and Reader’s Digest. Let me adapt some of her information from a  recent AARP article:

1) Nuts

Stacy Kennedy, a registered dietitian in Wellesley, Massachusetts, says, “Nuts are a dense source of nutrients that can support our immune system and metabolism, balance inflammation and gut health, promote brain and heart health, as well as offer cancer preventive properties.” No wonder they promote longevity and improved health. A study published in BMC Medicine was based upon data from more than 7,000 adults between the ages of 55 and 80 who were at high risk for cardiovascular disease. The researchers asked them to follow one of three diets: a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra nuts, the same diet but with additional extra virgin olive oil instead of nuts, or a low-fat diet. After five years, those who consumed more than three one-ounce servings of nuts per week had a 39 percent lower overall mortality risk than the non-nut eaters. In fact, over the course of the study, the nut eaters had the lowest total death risk. “Nuts give us fiber, protein, healthy fats and key vitamins and minerals like omega-3s, vitamin E, calcium and selenium,” Kennedy says.

2) Olive or Rapeseed (canola) oil

Wondering why olive oil gets star billing on the Mediterranean diet? Researchers think the heart-healthy monounsaturated fats in olive oil — particularly the virgin and extra virgin variety — are a major factor. Olive oil is also loaded with polyphenols, potent antioxidants that may help protect against several age-associated ailments, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Studies also tout the benefits of rapeseed (canola oil).

Obviously, both olive oil and nuts are calorie dense. So, how can you reap the benefits of these foods without gaining weight? Kennedy says, “You don’t need to eat large portions of nuts or olive oil to get the benefits.” She suggests adding a tablespoon of olive oil to sauces or as a dressing, or reaching for a small handful of nuts as a snack with fruit or to sprinkle over a salad or into oatmeal.

3) Dark leafy greens

​Not that you need another reason to fill your plate with leafy green vegetables, but here it is: Eating spinach, kale, chard, collards, lettuce and the like on a regular basis may slow age-related cognitive decline, according to a study in the journal Neurology. Researchers compared study participants who ate around 1½ servings of greens a day with those who ate less than a serving a day and found that the rate of cognitive decline among those who consumed the most was the equivalent of being 11 years younger (in terms of brain health).

4) Whole grains

Eating more whole grains — think brown rice, bran, oatmeal, popcorn, couscous, quinoa — may reduce the risk of early death, according to a large review of studies published in Circulation. The researchers found that people who ate about four servings of whole grains per day had a lower risk of dying during the 40-year study period, compared with those who ate little or none at all. The health benefits are believed to be a result of the high fiber found in whole grain foods, which may lower cholesterol production. In addition, whole grains can replace white, refined grains, which have a negative impact on insulin, blood sugar and satiation.

5) Fruits

There’s no such thing as a bad fruit (unless, of course, it’s bathed in syrup and comes from a can). They all offer a variety of immune-supportive, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties like vitamin C, potassium, and phytochemicals, those good-for-you compounds found in plants, Kennedy says. But “berries are particularly beneficial, as they are low in sugars, high in fiber and rich in nutrients,” she adds. “The vibrant color is one way you can tell they are good for you. The blue-purple family of nutrients, like in many berries, have unique properties for immunity, brain health and cardiovascular health.” In a study published in Applied Psychology, Nutrition and Metabolism, healthy people between the ages of 66 and 70 who drank concentrated blueberry juice every day showed improvements in brain activity. The study suggests their memory also improved.

6) Legumes

​People who live in the Blue Zones (areas with the highest numbers of people living to be 100 years of age or more — whether it’s Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; or Loma Linda, California) have a thing for plant-based foods, especially the many peas, beans and lentils that are part of the legume family. These centenarians eat at least four times as many beans as Americans do on average. Legumes are low in fat and high in protein, folate, iron, potassium and magnesium. That’s not all. A review published in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition found that beans are closely linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.

Well, none of this is new to my long-time readers, but at the start of this New Year, it’s a great reminder that all of use can improve our diets, and as such increase the quality and quantity of our life.

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2021. This blog provides healthcare tips and advice that you can trust about a wide variety of general health information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your regular physician. If you are concerned about your health, take what you learn from this blog and meet with your personal doctor to discuss your concerns.