A study published in the September 18, 2024, issue of Neurology® suggests that individuals whose diets closely align with the MIND diet may experience a lower risk of cognitive impairment. This association was observed across both Black and white participants, though the study does not establish causation.
The MIND diet combines elements of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, emphasizing green leafy vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, poultry, fish, beans, nuts, and berries. The study followed 14,145 participants with an average age of 64 for about 10 years, where they completed dietary questionnaires to assess their adherence to the MIND diet.
Participants were scored based on their consumption of various food groups, with a maximum score of 12. Those in the high adherence group had an average score of nine, compared to five for the low group. Over the study period, cognitive impairment developed in 12% of the low group, 11% of the middle group, and 10% of the high group. After adjusting for factors like age and health conditions, those in the high group had a 4% reduced risk of cognitive impairment.
Notably, female participants who closely followed the MIND diet showed a 6% decreased risk, while no significant change was observed in male participants. The study also found that participants adhering more closely to the MIND diet experienced slower cognitive decline, particularly among Black participants.
Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to explore these findings across different populations and demographic groups. They also highlight the potential for dietary changes to delay cognitive decline. The study was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute on Aging.
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