MIND diet slows cognitive decline with aging

Abstract

Background 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 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 5 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. Conclusion 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.

Neurovascular dysfunction and neurodegeneration in dementia and Alzheimer's disease

“…Age-related cognitive decline was attenuated in individuals consuming a Mediterranean diet, as found in a recent study of the Mediterranean-Dietary Approach to Systolic Hypertension (DASH) diet intervention for neurodegenerative delay (MIND) [217]. In comparing Mediterranean and Western diets, the primary difference is the source and proportion of dietary fats, with olive oil specifically being the main fat consumed in the Mediterranean diet and high levels of saturated fatty acids and simple carbohydrates being consumed in Western diets [218].…”

Risk Factors in Induction and Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease: Impacton Protection and Disease-Modifying Factors

“…Moreover, hypertension especially in midlife [37][38][39] as well as high cholesterol [40,41] are also considered as risk factors for dementia. Conversely, factors that protect the heart can also protect the brain and reduce the risk of developing AD and; physical activity is considered as the central of these factors [42][43][44]. In addition, it is well known that consuming a healthy heart diet is associated with reduction of AD and dementia [45][46][47][48].…”

Association of Adherence to a Healthy Diet with Cognitive Decline in European and American Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis within the CHANCES Consortium

“…More recently, dietary components linked to neuroprotection and cognitive function have been summarized into 1 dietary pattern score, namely the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet [49]. The MIND diet is a hybrid of the Mediterranean-DASH diets and includes high intakes of green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, olive oil, and wine and low amounts of red meats, butter and stick margarine, cheese, pastries and sweets, and fried/fast food.…”

“…The MIND diet is a hybrid of the Mediterranean-DASH diets and includes high intakes of green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, olive oil, and wine and low amounts of red meats, butter and stick margarine, cheese, pastries and sweets, and fried/fast food. This diet has been related to slower cognitive ageing in a single study of 960 older adults (mean age 81.4 years) of the Memory and Aging Project [49]. As the HDI does not include the majority of these components [8], or specific components shown to be associated with cognitive function, such as green leafy vegetables [36,50] and berries [34], it could be that the HDI was well-designed to reduce the risk of chronic diseases in general, but not cognitive function.…”