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You probably already know that a healthy diet is a powerful weapon for fighting off dementia as you age, but recent studies have shown that certain special foods have amazing powers to keep the brain healthy. Some, such as the compound curcumin, which is found in the spice turmeric, even help control the devastating plaques associated with Alzheimer's. A just-released Swedish study found that fruit flies lived 75 percent longer when given curcumin, a spice used in many Indian dishes, and could explain why rates of dementia in India are lower than those in the Western world. The brains of Alzheimer's victims have a build-up of a protein called amyloid plaque that destroys the brain's connections. The new study found that while curcumin didn't dissolve plaque, it reduced the formation of plaque and spurred the creation of nerve fibers in the brain. A previous study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, also found that curcumin may treat Alzheimer's by slowing the build-up of amyloid plaques, and a laboratory study at the University of Illinois revealed that curcumin protected cells from damage caused by beta-amyloid. But curcumin in a tasty curry isn't the only food that can keep Alzheimer's at bay — the following foods have also been shown in recent studies to slow Alzheimer's deadly advance. Dark chocolate. Norwegian researchers showed that the flavonoids in cocoa may help protect against dementia by increasing blood flow to the brain. Flavonoids are antioxidants that help cells, including brain cells, to quickly repair themselves. For the best benefits, buy chocolate with a high cocoa content of 70 percent or more. Red wine. Researchers at Spain's University of Valencia found that moderate alcohol consumption (a maximum of two drinks daily for men and one drink for women) may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. They interviewed 246 healthy people and the relatives of 176 Alzheimer's patients of the same age and gender mix about their health and lifestyle factors. They discovered that light to moderate drinking had a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease, especially among women who were nonsmokers. And the same Norwegian study that found dark chocolate to be effective against dementia, also found that the high levels of flavonoids in red wine decrease the risk of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. SPECIAL: How One Deck of Cards Has Shown to Improve Memory Salmon. A study from Tufts University in Bostom found that people who ate an average of three servings of oily fish each week lowered their risk of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia by 50 percent. Omega-3 oils found in cold-water fish such as salmon contain fatty acids essential for a healthy brain and also for fighting depression. A study from Australia's Aberdeen University found that fish oil slows the aging process while helping the brain work faster. Many experts suggest eating two portions of fish each week or taking a 1,000 mg fish oil supplement three times a day. Buy wild-caught salmon when possible since it is higher in omega-3 fatty acids than farmed fish. Coffee. A Finnish study found that drinking three to five cups of coffee daily during middle age can lower your chances of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease by 65 percent. Other studies have found that the caffeine in coffee protects against Alzheimer's by preventing the deterioration of memory and maintaining overall memory function in aging brains. Spinach. Researchers at Tufts University showed that spinach slowed and even reversed memory loss in rats. The benefit may be due, at least in part, to its high content of folic acid. Only half a cup of cooked spinach contains two-thirds of the RDA of folic acid. All greens are good for memory, and the darker the green, the better. Try to eat at least a cup every day. Grape juice. A study at Vanderbilt University found that people who drank grape juice more than three times a week lowered their risk of developing Alzheimer's by 76 percent. In an additional study led by Cincinnati researcher Dr. Robert Krikorian, patients between the ages of 75 and 80 who had been diagnosed with early memory loss were divided into two groups. One group drank about two glasses of 100 percent Concord grape juice daily for 12 weeks while the other group drank a placebo matched for calories. The participants were given memory tests, such as memorizing lists and placing items in a specific order, at regular intervals during the three months. "While there were no significant differences between the groups at baseline, following treatment, those drinking Concord grape juice demonstrated significant improvement in list learning," Krikorian said in a statement. "In addition, trends suggested improved short-term retention and spatial (nonverbal) memory." Blueberries. Numerous studies have shown that blueberries improve memory in older mice, according to Dr. Russell Blaylock, who reports that a series of studies at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University found that concentrated extracts of blueberries and strawberries prevented the same kind of age-related changes in mice that are seen in human brains. Some experts recommend eating about seven ounces of blueberries a day or taking a daily tablespoon of blueberry concentrate available at health food stores. Apples. We've all heard that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," and researchers at Cornell University found that apples contain a powerful ingredient that fights Alzheimer's. The key is the antioxidant quercetin, which is found in the skins of apples. "On the basis of serving size, fresh apples have some of the highest levels of quercetin when compared to other fruits and vegetables and may be among the best food choices for fighting Alzheimer's," study leader Chang Y. Lee said in a statement. "People should eat more apples, especially fresh ones." Quercetin is also available as a supplement.