Families and those with an interest in cooking may be interested to hear that following a healthy diet is one way that people can reduce their risk of dementia.

Cooking fresh meals and eating a diet rich in nutrients from fresh fruit and vegetables has long been known to help combat a range of diseases and old-age decline is another illness which could be prevented by commitment to healthy eating.

Alison Cranage, a spokeswoman for Alzheimer's Research UK, commented: "Some research has suggested that a diet low in fat, with lots of fruit and vegetables and including some oily fish can help lower our risk.

"A healthy diet together with regular exercise is the best way to help decrease our risk."

Chefs that enjoy the occasional glass of wine with their meals will be happy to know that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption could also lower the risk of dementia in later years, according to a study published in the journal Age and Ageing.