"Healthy Food, Healthy Brain" is topic for February 23 Fresh Conversations

What do green leafy vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, olive oil and a glass of wine all have in common?
These foods are all part of the MIND diet - a diet showing promise in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Recent research conducted by Rush University and funded by the National Institute on Aging followed 923 individuals for almost five years. What they learned was that people who followed the MIND diet, even moderately, had a 53% reduction in dementia and the development of Alzheimer’s.
The local meal site’s Fresh Conversations program for the month of February will discuss the MIND diet and how individuals can include foods to keep their brain healthy and their memory sharp. February’s Fresh Conversations discussion will be held at the Waukon Wellness Center Senior Center Tuesday, February 23, beginning at 11:15 a.m. Tatum Miller of Good Samaritan Society-Waukon will lead the discussion. The conversation will explore components of the MIND diet, including the foods listed at the beginning of this article.
Of those powerful memory foods, blueberries have been shown to be most beneficial. Blueberries are packed with anthocyanins and show promise in lowering blood pressure and preserving memory and reasoning skills.
Participants will learn ways to include fresh and frozen blueberries into their diets. An easy-to-prepare, three-ingredient blueberry syrup will be the food sample of the month. This syrup is made of all-natural ingredients and can be used on pancakes, ice cream, yogurt or on other food where a topping sauce is desired.
Maintaining brainpower gets an added boost from activity as well. Each year, one in three persons over the age of 65 falls. Falls are the number-one cause of brain injuries each year in the United States. They are also the leading cause of injury and death among older Americans. Practicing strength, balance and flexibility exercises can prevent falls. This month’s program demonstrates exercises to address all three.
Fresh Conversations is a free program offered by Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) and designed to promote sharing and peer support. Learn more about the powerful, protective features of blueberries, strawberries, nuts, olive oil and wine.
Those interested in staying for a meal following the Fresh Conversations program are asked to contact Betty, meal site manager, by calling 563-568-0074 for reservations.