A new study has found that following the MIND diet for 10 years can lead to a small but significant decrease in the risk of developing thinking, concentration, and memory problems. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet combines elements from the traditional Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.
The MIND diet is specifically designed to combat cognitive decline, emphasizing 10 brain-healthy food groups, including green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, seafood, poultry, olive oil, and wine. In contrast, five unhealthy food groups – red meats, butter and stick margarine, cheese, fried and fast foods, and pastries and sweets – are limited in the MIND diet.
The study, published in Neurology, analyzed data from over 14,000 adults aged 45 and older who participated in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. Researchers found that people who closely followed the MIND diet were 4% less likely to develop memory and thinking problems compared to those who did not adhere to the diet.
The benefits of the MIND diet were even more pronounced among women, with a 6% reduced risk of cognitive impairment. However, men did not see any such benefit. The study also found that people who closely followed the MIND Diet regressed more slowly than those who did not, with this association being stronger in Black participants.
Experts emphasize that while the study suggests a link between the MIND diet and cognitive health, more research is needed to fully understand its long-term benefits.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/18/health/mind-diet-cognitive-decline-wellness/index.html