To examine the effects of fish consumption on mental function, researchers compared fish consumption with mental decline in over 6,000 adults aged 65 years or older over a period of six years.
Researchers found that study participants who ate fish at least once per week experienced less mental decline, by up to 10 percent. Participants who ate fish two or more times per week experienced a rate of cognitive decline that was 13 percent slower than non-fish eaters.
While previous studies have found an association between intake of omega 3�s (the fatty acid found in fish) and reduced dementia, this new study did not make this connection. These latest findings suggest that there is a possibility that nutrients other than the omega-3s may be responsible for the protective effect against cognitive decline. While these results are promising, researchers call for more precise studies to understand the nature of the association.
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