Maggie Beer’s recipes to help reduce your chances of Alzheimer’s

Why you should start eating for brain health now

In her new book, Australian cooking royalty Maggie Beer has teamed up with world-leading Alzheimer’s researcher Professor Ralph Martins to fight one of the most debilitating diseases of our times.

Maggie’s Recipe for Life is so much more than a cookbook. More than one million Australians are affected every day by Alzheimer’s or its impact on their family but the good news is that you can eat well to age well, from this moment on.

Based on Ralph’s latest scientific research, Maggie has created more than 200 delicious recipes that help provide the nutrients we need for optimum brain health. They also assist with prevention of other lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.

‘These are my recipes for every day, for everybody, full of deep flavours and beautiful ingredients that will nourish you and your family. Nobody wants to eat worthy food that tastes like cardboard,’ says Beer.

Maggie Beer and Professor Ralph Martins. Photo: (C) Luke Marsden

‘My recipe for life is to have a healthy attitude to eating – it’s all about balance, variety and choosing foods that give you the best chance of being in good health now and into your future. This is not a diet book – it’s a way of life.’

For thirty-three years Prof Martins has been working towards diagnosing, preventing and effectively treating this devastating disease.

‘So far, we know that the brain damage that ends up causing Alzheimer’s begins developing in the brain 10–20 years before symptoms start to show, and that having type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease increases our chances of getting Alzheimer’s,’ says Prof Martins.

‘We also know that once symptoms set in, there is no known cure. But the good news is that we have begun to identify the factors that can reduce a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s and some other forms of dementia, and slow its progression.

‘What does this mean? Statistically it means that some people at age 60 for example, who would have developed full-blown dementia by the age of 80 may only have mild forgetfulness at 80, if they adopt and maintain our recommended lifestyle changes, especially a healthy diet.’

The proceeds from Maggie’s Recipe for Life will be shared between the Maggie Beer Foundation and the Lions Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.

Get the recipe for Maggie’s delicious Buckwheat crepes with roasted rhubarb and cinnamon yoghurt here.

Maggie Beer and Professor Ralph Martins will be touring throughout October, November and December. Find out where you can see them here.

Maggie’s Recipe for Life (Simon & Schuster, $39.99) features more than 200 recipes that help provide the nutrients we need for optimum brain health.