The Neuroimaging and Brain Lab at The Australian National University (ANU) conducted a study that discovered a correlation between increased magnesium intake and better brain health as individuals age. The research indicates that consuming more than 550 milligrams of magnesium each day can result in a brain age that is approximately one year younger by the time individuals reach 55 compared to those with a normal intake of around 350 milligrams a day.
Lead author and PhD researcher Khawlah Alateeq from the ANU National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health stated, “Our study shows a 41 per cent increase in magnesium intake could lead to less age-related brain shrinkage, which is associated with better cognitive function and lower risk or delayed onset of dementia in later life. This research highlights the potential benefits of a diet high in magnesium and the role it plays in promoting good brain health.”
The study published in the European Journal of Nutrition involved more than 6,000 cognitively healthy participants aged 40 to 73 in the United Kingdom, and the findings suggest that consuming magnesium-rich foods from a young age may prevent neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline, particularly by the time one reaches their 40s. Dementia, which is the second leading cause of death in Australia and seventh globally, is expected to affect more than 152.8 million people worldwide in 2050, highlighting the importance of paying attention to magnesium intake in our diets. The study recommends adding magnesium-rich foods such as legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and leafy green vegetables into our diets.
