A new study has found that closely following a MIND diet was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment and slower rates of cognitive decline with aging. The effects were more prominent in women, with adherence to the diet having little impact on men’s risk of cognitive impairment but showing a lesser association with the rate of cognitive decline. The study also revealed that the association between greater diet adherence and slower cognitive decline was more apparent in Black participants compared to white participants.
The research suggests that maintaining the right diet may help slow down the rate of cognitive impairment and decline as individuals age. While the study does not prove a definitive link, it did find a consistent correspondence between a person’s diet and a slower rate of cognitive loss over time. The study found an association between a closer adherence to the MIND diet and a decreased risk of cognitive impairment and slower rates of cognitive decline, particularly in women.
Unlike other studies that focus on the development of dementia, this study instead investigated impairment and decline, which are common occurrences as individuals age. The researchers were also interested in exploring potential differences between White and Black Americans in this process. Greater adherence to the MIND diet was found to correlate with a decreased risk of cognitive impairment and slowed decline for both white and Black participants, with a stronger prediction of cognitive decline in Black participants.
The study was conducted using data from 14,145 white and Black adults who participated in the Food Frequency Questionnaire in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. Participants had a mean age of 64 and were followed for an average of 10 years. The research found that adherence to the MIND diet had positive effects on cognitive health for both men and women, with a stronger association observed in women.
According to Scott Kaiser, MD, a board-certified geriatrician who was not involved in the study, the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet has been shown to slow brain aging by approximately 7.5 years and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The MIND diet includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, fish, and poultry. While the diet recommends limiting red meat intake, it does not call for its elimination altogether.
The MIND diet encourages individuals to avoid highly processed and refined foods that are low in fiber, digested too quickly, and cause rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Fast food, fried foods containing trans fats, and foods high in sugars should be consumed in moderation or avoided altogether. The diet promotes the intake of fresh whole foods and the exclusion of highly processed and refined options. Research suggests that certain antioxidants and other neuroprotective compounds found in foods like berries may enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline as people age.
