A balanced diet is food for thought

Health in a Heartbeat

World-class athletes adhere to strict diets to help them perform their best and maintain peak physical condition. Conversely, those who make unhealthy dietary choices are more likely to be overweight, have lower energy and generally be in poor physical health.

But what do dietary choices do for brain health?

Well, here’s some food for thought: A new study by researchers in China and the United Kingdom shows that making healthier dietary choices not only leads to better physical fitness, but it also optimizes brain health.

The study broke down food preferences into four categories: Starch-free or reduced-starch; vegetarian; high protein and low fiber; and balanced.

Study participants in the balanced diet category displayed evidence of better mental well-being, superior cognitive function and more gray matter in the brain, which is linked to intelligence.

Those in this category showed balanced preferences for foods across a range of categories, including meats, dairy, vegetables, alcohol and bread.

The study’s implications are wide-ranging.

To start, it emphasizes the importance of considering diet when clinicians look at mental health, cognitive function and brain structure. It also shows how food preferences could help identify those at higher risk of mental health challenges or cognitive impairment — leading to earlier interventions.

The researchers suggest promoting healthy food choices from an early age, which can boost public health and help people lead healthier and happier lives.

Making healthy food choices isn’t just good for your physical health. Turns out, a balanced diet is the ultimate brain food.