Heart healthy = better brain cognition

VIENNA, July 16 (UPI) -- A "heart healthy" diet and moderate physical exercise may be the best thing for the brain as well, U.S. researchers have learned.

Heidi Wengreen of Utah State University and colleagues examined associations between how closely people adhered to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension -- also known as the DASH diet -- and risk of cognitive decline and dementia among older participants.

In 1995, 3,831 study participants age 65 years or older completed a survey that included a food frequency questionnaire and cognitive assessment.

Cognitive function was checked again during four assessments over 11 years. A DASH diet adherence score was created based on consumption levels of nine food-group/nutrient components -- fruit, vegetables, nut/legumes, whole grains, low-fat dairy, sodium, sweets, non-fish meat, and fish.

The researchers found that higher DASH scores were associated with higher scores for cognitive functioning at the beginning of the study and over time.

"Our results suggest that including whole grains, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods and nuts in one's diet may offer benefits for cognition in late life," Wengreen said in a statement.

The findings were presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Vienna.