We can’t draw clear conclusions from this study, but it appears that the Mediterranean diet is healthy for the brain. Not to mention other benefits such as improved cardiovascular health, increased longevity and weight loss. So how can we make our diet more Mediterranean-like?

Eat more fish: Fish is a staple of the Mediterranean diet, which is high in healthy anti-inflammatory fats. Eat foods rich in omega-3s, such as salmon, herring, or sardines. Not so for fish? Try taking an omega-3 supplement instead.

Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables: One of the main characteristics of the Mediterranean diet is a colorful plate of fruits and vegetables. This helps provide your gut microbes with a variety of foods and gives you a dose of antioxidants.

Avoid processed foods: The Mediterranean diet includes whole foods. It doesn’t involve a lot of packaged or processed foods (think long, lazy lunch versus takeout). Try to avoid highly processed foods, which often contain added sugars, refined grains, trans fats, and refined vegetable oils (soybean oil, corn oil, etc.).