08/11/2026
‘Theme-bundling’ cont’d, a BULK BUNDLE for your reading reference lol
If cognitive health, dementia risk or overall brain function are on your mind (😉), these articles may be of interest. Important study findings, tips, insight and info in each piece; sneak peek snippets and 🔗 for each below:
☕️ Potential Benefits of Coffee & Tea Related to Dementia Risk
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/1-3-cups-caffeinated-tea-coffee-a-day-may-help-reduce-dementia-risk
Richard said it’s important to remember that no single beverage or nutrient is a “magic bullet” — a broader dietary pattern matters most for the brain and overall health.
“We’re also learning about the benefits of supporting mitochondrial health, the role of senolytic cells, and how addressing those with functional foods, activity, sleep, and other modalities may influence cognitive health,” Richard added. “Brain health is built over decades, not days, and nutrition is one of the most accessible tools we have.”
🥘 🥗 Cooking Related to Dementia Risk
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cooking-at-least-one-meal-at-home-weekly-may-cut-dementia-risk -practical-everyday-activity-to-lower-dementia-risk
Richard reminded readers that cooking at home doesn’t mean everything must be made from scratch, harvested from the garden, and take hours to curate — use shortcuts strategically. For example, she said it can mean simply putting a few things together and heating them to the appropriate temperature,
“Remember that it is never too late to learn something new or increase your culinary acumen, especially when these skills are so vital to autonomy, pleasure, and overall health and wellbeing,” Richard said.
“Cooking is one of the few daily activities that engages the brain, the body, and nutrition all at once. It literally feeds your brain and saves you dollars and cents, now that makes sense!”
🍽️ Dietary Patterns That May Reduce Cognitive Decline
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/best-diet-lower-cognitive-decline-risk-comparing-6-diets-aging
“We have observed that even moderate adherence to these types of dietary patterns have been linked to benefits in cognitive outcomes. Compounds such as phenolics and flavonoids support the structural integrity of neurons by reducing microglial overactivation, a process linked to age-related brain shrinkage,” she detailed.
“In other words, these foods may help maintain the actual physical scaffolding of your brain over time,” Richard continued.
“Being MINDful is a multi-pronged approach. Brain food is not only about assessing the amount and source of nutritional fuel, but also taking inventory of social media consumption and screen time, quality and meaningful relationships, as well as environmental toxin exposure (plastics, pollution etc.,) time connecting with nature, nurturing a spiritual practice and how you care for your needs.”
– Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN
“The gut-brain axis is an emerging and exciting area in dementia research,” Richard continued. “Your fork is one of your most powerful brain-health tools to help build, or even possibly restore, cognitive resilience, building a foundation bite by bite, meal by meal.”
🍽️ 🥗 🥕 Plant-Based Diets Related to Protection Against Alzheimer’s
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/high-quality-plant-diets-protect-against-alzheimers-even-started-late-life
“We can’t control every risk factor for cognitive decline, but what we put on our plate and in our body are two of the most consistent and powerful influences we have to mitigate risk, and increase the probability to enhance feeling good and enjoying being alive,” Richard added
🧠 High-Fat, High-Sugar Diets May Affect Brain Health Later in Life
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/high-fat-high-sugar-diet-may-leave-lasting-changes-on-brain-eating-later-in-life
Richard said that while she lets her clients and patients know that their diet early in life, including their mother and father’s diet preconception, and whether they were breastfed or formula fed, influences the gut, today’s choices still matter — it’s never too late to improve your internal ecosystem.
“While early-life nutrition influences microbial colonization and neural development, the microbiome remains dynamic across the lifespan,” Richard told MNT. “Dietary diversity and fiber intake are consistently associated with greater microbial diversity in adults, which can support metabolic and cognitive resilience.”
🫒 Olive Oil & Cognitive Function
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/extra-virgin-olive-oil-better-preserve-cognitive-function-refined-study-gut-microbiome
When talking about cold-pressed olive oil versus refined olive oil, the biggest difference comes down to processing methods and the preservation of beneficial compounds, said Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight.
“Cold-pressed extra-virgin or virgin olive oil (EVOO, VOO) is mechanically pressed from olives without heat or chemical refining,” Richard explained to MNT. “Therefore, it retains vital compounds such as polyphenols, antioxidants, and vitamins that support anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. ‘Refined’ or ‘regular’ olive oil is often processed with heat and industrial refining, which can remove many beneficial antioxidants during processing.”
Thank you Corrie Pelc and Medical News Today for continuing to provide important information to the public.
A new study suggests that cooking just one meal at home per week can reduce dementia risk in older people by up to 67%.