Mercè Boada, a neurologist and founder of Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, warns that inadequate nutrition in older adults leads to accelerated muscle loss and detrimental effects on brain health and memory. Many seniors face decreasing appetites often compounded by loneliness, resulting in overly light meals that lack essential nutrients. She highlights that a diet consisting only of a piece of fruit or yogurt fails to meet the caloric and protein requirements necessary for healthy brain function and resistance against neurodegenerative diseases.

Boada discusses the significant issue of sarcopenia, or muscle loss, and its connection to cognitive decline. When elderly individuals do not consume enough proteins, their physical frailty increases, heightening the risk of falls and reducing their independence. The implications of this are severe, as it not only affects mobility but also the overall mental well-being of seniors, potentially leading to a cycle of deteriorating health and increased dependence on caregivers.

In her advocacy, Boada calls for a more balanced and nutritious diet tailored to the specific needs of seniors, asking caregivers and families to pay closer attention to their dietary habits. She urges that offering varied and nutrient-rich foods can help improve not only physical strength but also contribute positively to mental health, suggesting that proper dietary attention could lead to a better quality of life for older adults, helping them maintain their autonomy longer and improving their cognitive resilience against aging-related conditions.