MIND Diet Could Stave Off Dementia, New Study Shows
New research suggests that adopting healthier eating habits can be beneficial in preventing dementia, even later in life.The study, encompassing data from 90,000 adults, highlights the potential of the MIND diet in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions.
The MIND Diet: A Powerful Tool Against Dementia
Scientists at the University of Hawaii found that individuals over 45 who adhered to the MIND diet experienced a notable decrease in their likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. The MIND diet, or Mediterranean Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, was created by the late Martha Clare Morris, a nutritional epidemiologist at Rush University. It combines elements of the Mediterranean diet with the DASH diet, known for lowering blood pressure.
Key Findings: Consistency and Timing Matter
The study indicated that the MIND diet had a stronger and more consistent association with dementia risk reduction compared to other healthy diets, across various racial groups. Participants who showed the most improvement in their adherence to the diet over time also demonstrated the greatest reduction in dementia risk.
Specifically,participants with higher MIND adherence scores at the study’s outset had a 9% lower dementia risk. This reduction was even more pronounced-around 13%-among African American, Latino, and White participants.
Benefits at Any Age
The study revealed that the positive effects of the MIND diet where observed in both younger and older groups, suggesting that adopting the diet at any age can be favorable. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more then 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and that number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050 (Alzheimer’s Association 2024). This makes preventative measures like diet all the more critical.
Expert Insights
“Our study findings confirm that healthy dietary patterns in mid to late life, and their improvement over time. may prevent Alzheimer’s and related dementias,”
said Dr. Song-Yi Park, Associate Professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Dr. Park added,“This suggests that it is never too late to adopt a healthy diet to prevent dementia.”
Study Details and Outcomes
Dr.Park and her team analyzed data collected from over 90,000 American adults starting in the 1990s, focusing on their dietary habits. The participants, initially aged between 45 and 75, were followed over several years, during which more than 21,000 developed alzheimer’s or related dementias.
the study also found that individuals who improved their adherence to the MIND diet over a 10-year period-even if they initially did not follow it closely-had a 25% lower risk of dementia compared to those whose adherence declined.
Considerations for Diverse Populations
Dr. Park noted that the protective effect of a healthy diet on dementia was less evident among Asian Americans and even less so for Native Hawaiians.She suggested that a more tailored approach might potentially be necessary when assessing diet quality in different subpopulations and that further research could help clarify these patterns.
Dr. Park presented the findings at the annual meeting of the american Society for Nutrition in Orlando,Florida,on June 2.
