Effect of MIND Diet Intervention on Cognitive Performance and Brain Structure in Healthy Obese Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background and Aim: Previous studies suggested adherence to recently developedMediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) associated with cognitive performance. There was no prior Randomized controlled Trial (RCT) to investigate this association. This study aimed to examine the effect of MIND dietary pattern on features of cognitive performance and also changes in brain structure in healthy obese women. Methods:As a total of 50 eligible obese (mean BMI 32 ± 4.31) female adults (mean age 48 ± 5.38 years), we randomly allocated 40 participants to either calorie-restricted modified MIND diet or a calorie-restricted standard control diet. Change in cognitive performance was the primary outcome measured with a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. We also performed voxel-based morphometry as a secondary outcome to quantify the differences in brain structure. All of the measurements administered at baseline and three months of study.Results: Thirty-seven participants (MIND group=22 and control group=15) completed the study.The results found in the MIND diet group working memory +1.37 (95% CI: 0.79,1.95), verbal recognition memory +4.85 (95% CI: 3.30,6.40), and attention +3.75 (95% CI: 2.43,5.07) improved more compared with the control group (ps < 0.005). Results of brain MRI consists of an increase in surface area of inferior frontal gyrus in the MIND diet group. Furthermore, the results showed a decrease in the cerebellum-white matter and cerebellum-cortex in two groups of study. Still, the effect in the MIND group was greater than the control group. Conclusions:The study findings declare for the first time that the MIND diet intervention can reverse the destructive effects of obesity on cognition and brain structure, which could be strengthened by a modest calorie restriction.

Efficacy of the Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay + Forest Bathing intervention in improving cognitive function and metabolic health: A single-blind, pilot randomised controlled trial

“…A systematic review of 13 studies also showed that adherence to the MIND diet was associated with improved cognitive function, especially in older adults (12), while several other studies have reported it to be associated with improved verbal memory and global cognitive performance, as well as a slower rate of cognitive decline after stroke and a lower risk of dementia (6,7,13,14). A recent cross-sectional study and randomised controlled trial (RCT) found that the MIND diet is inversely associated with the odds of reduced HDL-cholesterol and general obesity (15, 16). The MIND diet emphasises the consumption of fatty sh, and long-chain n-3 fatty acids found in sh may reduce amyloid-beta (Aβ) formation and oxidative damage.…”