Adhering to the MIND diet, a fusion of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets, is associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment, according to a new study published in Neurology on September 18. The study underscores the potential of diet to influence brain health, particularly in slowing cognitive decline linked to aging and neurodegenerative conditions.

Dr. Russell P. Sawyer and his team from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine conducted the research using data from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. The researchers examined how adherence to the MIND diet affected cognitive function among 14,145 participants, both Black and White, using the Food Frequency Questionnaire.

The average age of participants was 64, and after adjusting for factors such as age, gender, and lifestyle, the study found that higher MIND diet adherence was linked to a lower likelihood of developing cognitive impairment. Participants who closely followed the MIND diet showed a 4% reduced risk of cognitive decline (odds ratio, 0.96), with a confidence interval of 0.93 to 0.99.

The study revealed a notable gender difference in the findings. Women who adhered more closely to the MIND diet had a significantly reduced risk of cognitive decline, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.92. In contrast, there was no significant effect observed in men, whose odds ratio was 1.01. These results suggest that women may derive more cognitive protection from the MIND diet than men.

Furthermore, the study found racial disparities in how the MIND diet influenced cognitive decline. The diet appeared to be a stronger predictor of cognitive health in Black participants compared to White participants, though the reasons for this difference remain unclear. The authors suggested that further research is needed to understand how the MIND diet may affect cognitive reserve across different racial groups.

As rates of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s continue to rise, the findings from this study highlight the importance of dietary interventions in promoting brain health and reducing the risk of cognitive impairment. However, more studies are needed to fully understand the long-term benefits of the MIND diet and its varying effects across different demographics.