MIND diet slows cognitive decline with aging.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether the MIND diet, designed to capture neuroprotective dietary components, was associated with slower cognitive decline over time.
Results Summary
The MIND diet score was positively associated with slower decline in global cognitive function and across five cognitive domains, with the top tertile of adherence equivalent to being 7.5 years younger in cognitive age. The findings suggest the MIND diet substantially slows cognitive decline.
Population
960 participants from the Memory and Aging Project.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Average 4.7 years
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mediterranean diet | decrease | cognitive decline | - | - | have been shown to slow | #1 |
dash diet | decrease | cognitive decline | - | - | have been shown to slow | #2 |
MIND diet score | decrease | global cognitive score | 960 participants of the Memory and Aging Project | β = 0.0092 | positively associated with slower decline | #3 |
MIND diet score | decrease | each of five cognitive domains | 960 participants of the Memory and Aging Project | - | positively associated with slower decline | #4 |
MIND diet | decrease | cognitive decline with age | - | - | substantially slows | #5 |
INTRODUCTION: The Mediterranean and dash diets have been shown to slow cognitive decline; however, neither diet is specific to the nutrition literature on dementia prevention. METHODS: We devised the Mediterranean-Dietary Approach to Systolic Hypertension (DASH) diet intervention for neurodegenerative delay (MIND) diet score that specifically captures dietary components shown to be neuroprotective and related it to change in cognition over an average 4.7 years among 960 participants of the Memory and Aging Project. RESULTS: In adjusted mixed models, the MIND score was positively associated with slower decline in global cognitive score (β = 0.0092; P < .0001) and with each of five cognitive domains. The difference in decline rates for being in the top tertile of MIND diet scores versus the lowest was equivalent to being 7.5 years younger in age. DISCUSSION: The study findings suggest that the MIND diet substantially slows cognitive decline with age. Replication of these findings in a dietary intervention trial would be required to verify its relevance to brain health.