Fight the Most Feared Disease of Old Age... With a Fork
If you grew up in the 1950s, you might remember your grandma proudly bringing out the colorful, quivering piece de resistance at the family potluck...
The Jell-O salad.
Most people associate the unnaturally colored dessert with those prepackaged, foil-topped cups gracing lunch boxes or meal trays at a hospital or nursing home.
But back in the '50s, Jell-O salads were all the rage. They typically came in a donut-shaped mold and consisted of a combination of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even cheese – all suspended in neon gelatin (with plenty of added sugar).
These days, younger generations look upon this "retro" dish with a mix of fascination and revulsion. But decades ago, tossed salads were seen as messy dishes, compared with the sleek, elegant look of a shiny Jell-O salad.
Thankfully, a few decades later, we've become more aware of the health problems that result from eating too much sugar. And with that, the savory-Jell-O-salad movement fizzled out, making way for its tossed-salad successor.
Loaded with fresh, crisp, leafy greens, these salads might look a bit more chaotic on the plate than a neatly cut slice of Jell-O salad. But they pack a punch when it comes to brain health.
Namely, leafy greens help keep your brain young and reduce your risk of one of the most feared diseases of old age...
The Ultimate Identity Thief
It's a lumbering beast that slowly lurches toward an early death...
Alzheimer's disease.
This fatal disease is also the ultimate identity thief, stealing your memory, beliefs, personality, and sense of independence as you gradually lose the ability to both communicate with loved ones and move around on your own.
We all experience some cognitive changes as we get older. But Alzheimer's is a far different story, and it tends to play out in several stages, which makes it harder to pin down the cause.
Scientists are working furiously to find therapies and treatments for this incurable disease. But we have the next best thing to a cure: prevention.
Research has consistently associated eating leafy greens regularly with a slower rate of cognitive decline and improved memory. That's because they're packed with inflammation-fighting vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Some standouts include vitamin K, folate, and selenium – all of which fight oxidative stress that contributes to Alzheimer's.
A 2023 Neurology study should give you even more reason to eat more vegetables, especially leafy greens...
The research team looked at the diets of 581 participants who had agreed to donate their brains for study after they died. On average, they died roughly seven years from the start of the study. And shortly before they died, 66% of the folks were diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Each year, the participants had answered a survey on what they ate, too. The team found fewer amyloid plaques and tau tangles (which are commonly associated with Alzheimer's) in the folks who had largely eaten foods in the Mediterranean and MIND diets. (Both diets include lots of fresh vegetables, fruit, fatty fish, beans, olive oil, and whole grains. The only difference is that the MIND diet prioritizes leafy greens.)
What's more, the participants who had eaten the most leafy greens (i.e., one serving a day) had brains that looked 12 to 19 years younger – in terms of plaques – than the brains of folks who ate the lowest amount.
Do What I Do...
Aim for a serving of leafy greens each day. (That's about one cup of raw vegetables.) Frozen greens are just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts, and they're convenient for adding to your soups or sauteed dishes.
Aim to eat a variety, too. You don't want to eat too many of one kind. For instance, too much spinach or kale can cause kidney stones (sorry, Popeye) in folks prone to getting them. And check with your doctor before piling on the greens if you take blood thinners, since vitamin K in greens can interact with your medication.
Personally, I love a good kale salad. It doesn't get soggy in the fridge easily, even when it's chopped and tossed with a dressing. You can make kale less bitter and easier to chew by massaging the washed, dried leaves with a bit of extra-virgin olive oil or lemon juice until they turn darker and become more pliable.
Alzheimer's is a cruel disease. But it also typically has a slow progression. So you have time to start making some changes in your lifestyle... starting at your next meal.
And all hope is not lost for finding a cure...
Right now, we're at a true tipping point – a watershed moment for Alzheimer's treatment. There's a revolutionary drug in the works, one that could slow down – or even stop – the progression of this fatal disease. And best of all, there's a way to invest in this pharmaceutical breakthrough.
What We're Reading...
- Something different: The history of Jell-O salad.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
September 30, 2025