A healthy diet that restricts caloric intake may play an important role in preserving brain health in old age, according to a new study to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

Mayo Clinic researcher Yonas Geda, who led the investigation, said his team's findings underscore the importance of eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, while limiting consumption of less nutritious, high-calorie foods.

For the study, the researchers surveyed more than 1,200 adults between the ages of 70 and 89 about their daily dietary habits. The results showed that individuals who already had symptoms of brain health issues were significantly more likely to consume 2,100 calories or more each day.

Geda said the results of the investigation suggest that a healthy diet may be a cornerstone of healthy aging efforts. Furthermore, the study indicates that simply eating a nutritious diet may be one of the best ways to preserve brain health into old age. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is known to be one of the best ways to consume adequate amounts of vitamins and antioxidants.