Oily fish, dark chocolate and red wine can help prevent dementia.

Bizarre on Female First

Bizarre on Female First

New research has suggested that fish high in omega-3 such as salmon, mackerel, as well as cocoa and red wine can ''significantly'' slow or even prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease as they boost the number of neurons in the part of the brain that deals with memory and thought.

Lead researcher Sandrine Thuret, of King's College London said: ''This study shows that what you ate 12 years ago has an impact on your condition today - so the message is 'don't leave it till the end - what you eat is already having an effect.

''The neurons you created in the hippocampus 12 years ago are still there. And the more you can generate the more you can build up your reserves and protect yourself from cognitive decline.''