Researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona observed that a calorie-limited diet diminished brain changes tied to age-related memory decline in rats. The study appeared in Nutrients.
In their experiments, older mice were split into two groups: one followed a calorie-restricted regime, while the other continued on a typical feeding pattern. Results showed that the calorie-restricted mice excelled at acquiring new skills. They performed better on a spatial recognition task and on memory assessments that tested hippocampal function, a brain region central to learning and memory.
The study suggests that the improved cognitive performance is linked to preservation of neurons during aging and a decrease in inflammatory activity within the hippocampus, which is often associated with aging processes.
As life expectancy rises, research into aging and brain health grows more critical. These findings underscore the potential for lifestyle choices to support healthy brain aging and reduce the risk of cognitive deficits as people grow older. The work highlights how dietary strategies might complement other approaches to maintaining cognitive function over time, a consideration especially relevant for populations in Canada and the United States seeking proactive, science-backed health measures.