Magnesium-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, nuts, and wholegrains could keep dementia risk at bay, a new study has suggested.
Researchers say a higher intake of magnesium in our diets from a younger age may safeguard against neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline by the time we reach our 40s.
Those who consume more than 550 milligrams of magnesium each day were found to have a brain age that is approximately one year younger by the time they reach 55, when compared with someone with a normal magnesium intake of about 350 milligrams a day.
The study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, found that participants who upped their magnesium intake by just over 40 percent experienced less brain shrinkage.
The scientists had more than 6,000 cognitively healthy participants from the UK - aged 40 to 73 - complete an online questionnaire five times over a period of 16 months while eating meals with differing magnesium levels.
"Our study shows a 41 per cent increase in magnesium intake could lead to less age-related brain shrinkage, which is associated with better cognitive function and lower risk or delayed onset of dementia in later life," said lead author and PhD researcher Khawlah Alateeq, from the ANU National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health.
"This research highlights the potential benefits of a diet high in magnesium and the role it plays in promoting good brain health."
It’s believed the number of people worldwide who will be diagnosed with dementia is expected to more than double from 57.4 million in 2019 to 152.8 million in 2050, placing a greater strain on health services.
"Since there is no cure for dementia and the development of pharmacological treatments have been unsuccessful for the past 30 years, it’s been suggested that greater attention should be directed towards prevention," study co-author Dr Erin Walsh, who is also from ANU, said.
"Our research could inform the development of public health interventions aimed at promoting healthy brain ageing through dietary strategies."
"The study shows higher dietary magnesium intake may contribute to neuroprotection earlier in the ageing process and preventative effects may begin in our 40s or even earlier,” Ms Alateeq said. "This means people of all ages should be paying closer attention to their magnesium intake.
"We also found the neuroprotective effects of more dietary magnesium appears to benefit women more than men and more so in post-menopausal than pre-menopausal women, although this may be due to the anti-inflammatory effect of magnesium."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
