Eating fruit and vegetables 'can curb dementia'

16:53 4th May 2011

Homeowners thinking of growing fruit and vegetables in their greenhouse or outside space may be interested to hear that consuming lots of natural produce can prevent dementia, it has been suggested.

Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said what people eat can determine people's susceptibility to several medical complaints, including dementia.

"A healthy diet with a variety of fruit and vegetables that enables a person to maintain a normal body weight is likely to reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure or heart disease, both of which put a person at greater risk of developing dementia," she explained.

The vitamins and antioxidants contained in fresh foodstuffs may even protect the brain, Dr Sorensen continued, while other research has suggested that caffeine, spices and herbs such as curcumin, sage and lemon balm might have a similar effect.

Eating too much saturated fat can make a heart attack or stroke more likely, the expert added, although specific fatty acids found in oily fish can actually be beneficial to the heart.