MIND diet may protect brain health during aging, study finds

A new study published in the journal ‘Alzheimer’s & Dementia’ suggests that the MIND diet may help protect brain health during aging. The research involved over 700 older adults without diagnosed dementia, utilizing cognitive tests, questionnaires, and brain MRIs.

Researchers found that individuals who closely followed the MIND diet—a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets—exhibited healthier brain blood vessels, better cognitive test results, and superior brain structure. Specifically, adherence to the diet was linked to less damage to small blood vessels, larger brain volume, and fewer signs of white matter damage, all of which are associated with cognitive decline.

The MIND diet emphasizes leafy green vegetables, berries, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, and legumes, while recommending the limitation of fried foods, butter, sweets, pastries, and processed red meats. Lead researcher Puja Agarwal from Rush University noted that the connection between diet and brain health remained significant even after accounting for physical activity, BMI, and vascular diseases.