Mediterranean diet lowers Alzheimer's risk 40%

This is an interesting finding:

One of the largest studies of the impact of food and drink on mental decline has found that eating a Mediterranean diet cuts the risk of Alzheimer's disease by up to 40 per cent. The diet of southern France, Italy and Spain, rich in olive oil and red wine, is known to protect against heart disease and high blood pressure but this is the first time it has been shown to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers monitored 2,258 healthy, elderly people in New York who were part of a research project into ageing. Their medical and neurological history was assessed, they had standard physical and neurological tests and their cognitive function was measured every 18 months.

After four years, 262 of the participants were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, more than one in ten of the total. Records of their diets during the study period showed that those who adhered most closely to the Mediterranean diet, eating lots of fruits, vegetables, pulses, some fish and alcohol with little dairy food and meat had the lowest risk of Alzheimer's, down by 39 to 40 per cent.

Pass the red wine, please.