Getting to Know the MIND Diet that is Trending Among South Korean Netizens, Interested in Trying?

A healthy lifestyle is increasingly becoming a trend in South Korea, especially among young people who want to slow down aging. One of the popular methods is the MIND Diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay). This diet was developed by combining the principles of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet, which are known to be effective in maintaining heart and brain health.

The concept of the MIND Diet became widely known in South Korea thanks to Jung Hee-won, a medical professor at Asan Medical Center, Seoul. He popularized this diet as part of the slow aging trend, which is an effort to slow down the aging process through healthier and more balanced eating patterns.

In a book titled "Slow Aging Diet," Jung explains that the MIND Diet is not just about choosing healthy foods, but also part of a more holistic lifestyle. “Aging is not a simple matter. Lifestyle habits such as exercise and nutrition are just results of the principles of how we live our lives,” said Jung Hee-won to The Korea Times.

1. Consuming Whole Grains and Nuts

Getting to Know the Trending MIND Diet Among South Korean Netizens (credit: unsplash/Ovidiu Creanga)

The MIND diet emphasizes the importance of replacing refined carbohydrates with whole grains such as wheat, quinoa, and brown rice. This combination helps maintain stable blood sugar levels and provides longer-lasting energy.

In South Korea, where white rice is a staple food, Jung suggests mixing lentils, wheat, and brown rice in a ratio of 4:2:2:2 as a healthier alternative.

2. Increase Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

Getting to Know the MIND Diet That Is Trending Among South Korean Netizens (credit: unsplash/Chandra Oh)

Green vegetables and berries are high in antioxidants, which can protect brain cells from premature aging. The MIND diet recommends consuming green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli every day.

Berries like blueberries and strawberries are also highly recommended because they contain flavonoids that are beneficial for brain function. In Korea, this dietary pattern is very suitable as people are already accustomed to consuming various vegetables in their daily meals.

3. Using Olive Oil as the Main Fat

Getting to Know the MIND Diet That Is Trending Among South Korean Netizens (credit: unsplash/Joyce Romero)

One of the hallmarks of the Mediterranean diet adopted in the MIND Diet is the use of olive oil as a source of healthy fat. This oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which help maintain heart health and reduce inflammation in the body.

In Korean cuisine, the use of olive oil is becoming increasingly popular, replacing regular cooking oil in some dishes.

4. Reducing Red Meat and Processed Food Consumption

Getting to Know the Trending MIND Diet Among South Korean Netizens (credit: unsplash/Skyler Ewing)

The MIND Diet recommends consuming more fish and poultry while reducing red meat and processed products. This is because excessive consumption of red meat can increase the risk of inflammation and accelerate the aging process.

Jung Hee-won suggests limiting red meat consumption to only a few times a month and replacing it with fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

5. Limiting Sugar and Processed Foods

One of the main factors to avoid in the MIND Diet is simple sugars and processed foods, including sweet snacks, fast food, and soda.

Professor Jung emphasizes that sweet foods can quickly raise blood sugar levels and trigger insulin resistance. Therefore, he recommends reducing the consumption of fried foods to less than once a week and limiting sweet snacks to 30 grams or less four times a week.

6. What are the main benefits of the MIND Diet?

The MIND Diet is known to maintain brain health, reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and help slow down the aging process through a healthy eating pattern.

7. Can the MIND Diet help with weight loss?

Although it is not a diet specifically for weight loss, the eating pattern in the MIND Diet can help control weight naturally because it is high in fiber and low in sugar.

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(kpl/sjn)