A new study has shown that closely following a Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment is when someone has trouble remembering, learning, concentrating or making decisions. "The evidence continues to mount that you are what you eat when it comes to brain health", Dr. Richard Isaacson - CNN. People that closely followed the Mediterranean diet had a 45% to 50% reduction in the risk of having impaired cognitive function. The diet didn’t slow cognitive decline for people with the gene that increases their risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The study showed that when fish consumption was high among people with this gene cognitive decline did slow down. A Mediterranean diet consists of eating fish twice a week and fresh whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, grains, nuts, and legumes. Dairy is consumed daily or weekly but in moderation with chicken and eggs being used occasionally. There's very little meat consumption in a Mediterranean diet and olive oil is used heavily. Following this diet can also help reduce the risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, and some cancers