A new study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia has found a significant link between high-inflammatory diets and an increased risk of dementia. Researchers from the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s & Neurodegenerative Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine, and the Framingham Heart Study analyzed data from 1,487 participants aged 60 or older to determine the association between dietary inflammatory index scores and incident dementia.
The study found that higher scores on the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), which measures the inflammatory potential of diets by analyzing nutrients, bioactive compounds, and food components, were associated with a higher incidence of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, participants with the highest pro-inflammatory diets had an 84% increased risk of developing all-cause dementia compared to those with the most anti-inflammatory diets.
The researchers also found that dietary interventions emphasizing anti-inflammatory foods, such as omega-3 fatty acids and flavonoids, may help reduce dementia risk. The study suggests that incorporating DII-type assessments into dietary guidelines could help identify at-risk individuals and develop targeted nutrition strategies at a population level.
This study provides further evidence of the potential link between diet and dementia risk, highlighting the importance of adopting anti-inflammatory diets to support brain health.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-inflammatory-dietary-habits-linked-higher.html