Scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston found that the Mediterranean diet is rich in anti-oxidants, especially compared to the westernized diet, which includes processed foods, sweets, and red and cured meats.
Researchers studied those who ate things like oily fish, cereal and fruit juices and found they were 50 percent less likely to develop COPD. Continuing such a diet for 12 or more years resulted in even less of a risk for the disease.
Now a study is being launched by the Alzheimer's Society to see whether the same diet can curb the risk for mental illnesses, especially Alzheimer's.
Researchers will study results from previous studies that analyzed such a link. The society said the disease could affect one million people by year 2020. In fact, by the time a person reaches age 30 chances for the disease double. By age 80, the chance for developing Alzheimer's is one in six.
Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said, "Nothing is going to guarantee cures or prevention of dementia, but we do think there probably are things that people can do to reduce their chances of getting these bad illnesses."
"We don't want to encourage false hope, but we are hoping that this study will produce genuine advice for people."
Results from the society's research are expected in July.
