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The Mediterranean style of eating — which is a diet marked by a high consumption of healthy fats, such as fish, nuts, olives and olive oil and plenty of fruits and vegetables — has well-established heart health benefits, thanks to its emphasis on whole, natural foods.

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Now, a new study finds that the Mediterranean lifestyle can boost brain health as well. In a study of more than 10,000 women, , compared to women who did not eat this type of balanced diet. The finding are published in theAnnals of Internal Medicine.

This indicates that , researcher Fran Grodstein, Sc.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health told NPR. If you haven't been eating this way so far, it's not too late to start.

Meir Stampfer, M.D., Dr.P.H., a co-author of the paper, told NPR he was "surprised by the magnitude of the effects" in the study, given what we already know about theof the diet. He also said that he's made some changes to his own diet based on the findings. He's eating more nuts, berries and fruit, and less meat and potatoes, and he's feeling happier, he said.

Another plus: , Sanjay Gupta, M.D., wrote for EverydayHealth.com. Avocado on a salad, or a handful of raw nuts and a piece of fruit for a snack can do the trick. Yogurt with berries and nuts is another easy option, as well as eggs scrambled with vegetables and avocado. Eating fatty fish just two times a week is all it takes to see a health benefit, numerous studies have found.

For more specifics, check out Oldways, a nonprofit food think tank in Boston that developed a consumer-friendly.

The pyramid emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil and cooking with flavorful herbs and spices. Fish and seafood are the preferred protein sources. , though no more than a glass a day for women and one to two glasses a day for men.

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