Evaluating the association between the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, mental health, and cardio-metabolic risk factors among individuals with obesity

Abstract

Background Several previous investigations have examined the brain-protective role of the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet. However, more knowledge is needed about the MIND diet's other favorable impacts. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the MIND diet, mental health, and metabolic markers in individuals with obesity. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we included 339 individuals with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) aged 20–50 years. We utilized a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), we assessed dietary intake, including 168 food items, and calculated the value of MIND. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) guidelines. We assessed biochemical parameters using Enzymatic methods. Blood pressure and body composition were also determined. Results Higher tertiles of the MIND diet score were associated with significantly higher energy intake, macronutrients, and brain-healthy food intakes (P < 0.001). Among the brain-unhealthy foods, only the intake of sweets and pastries was significantly lower in the highest versus lowest MIND tertiles. We also observed lower odds of stress (P < 0.05) and higher insulin sensitivity (P < 0.05) in the highest versus lowest MIND diet tertiles. We witnessed no significant changes in other parameters. Conclusion Lower stress levels and higher insulin sensitivity independent of some confounders like age, BMI, sex, and physical activity were associated with the highest tertile of MIND diet score.

Associations of the MIND Diet with Cardiometabolic Diseases and Their Risk Factors: A Systematic Review

“… Age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking status, BMI, physical activity, DM, DLP, energy intake. [ 61 ] Ardekani et al (2023) Iran n=339 obese adults Age: 20–50 years 168-item FFQ and food diaries MIND diet score: 0-14 Wine excluded - SBP - DBP - FBS - TC - LDL-C - HDL-C - TG - Insulin - HOMA-IR - QUICKI - No significant association between MIND diet score and QUICKI in the fully adjusted model. - No significant association between MIND diet score and other cardiometabolic risk factors.…”

Adherence to Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay Diet in Relation to Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentrations and Metabolic Health Status in Adults

“…However, a prospective survey on 2706 Iranian individuals with a wide age range of 20–79 y showed that the MIND diet was not substantially associated with likelihood of hypertension [ 14 ]. Similarly, no significant associations were observed for BP, FBG, TG, HDL cholesterol, and HOMA-IR in a cross-sectional study on obese adults [ 15 ]. According to conflicting results of the mentioned studies, additional well-organized investigations are necessary.…”

“…MIND diet was inversely associated with hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL cholesterol in a number of studies [ 12 , 13 ]. However, no significant associations were found with hypertension, hyperglycemia, other abnormal lipid profiles, and cardiometabolic parameters in several investigations [ 14 , 15 ].…”

An Overview of the Potential Role of Nutrition in Mental Disorders in the Light of Advances in Nutripsychiatry

“…The dietary intervention known as the Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) is a nutrition model that may have a beneficial impact on mental health due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nature, as well as its reduced consumption of food items such as red meat and sweets [ 122 ]. However, when reviewing the literature, the results of studies assessing the risk of depression with the MIND diet are conflicting.…”

“…In an Iranian adult population ( n = 7165), adherence to the MIND diet was reported to significantly reduce the likelihood of developing depression (OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.40–0.96; p = 0.02) and anxiety (OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.41–0.91; p = 0.01) [ 125 ]. A study examining the relationship between the MIND diet, mental health, and metabolic markers in obese individuals associated the highest MIND diet score tertile with lower stress levels and higher insulin sensitivity ( p < 0.05) [ 122 ].…”