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Dietary patterns and indicators of cognitive function
The study investigates the associations between six healthy dietary patterns and cognitive health, with a particular focus on subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and objective cognitive function. Using data from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, the research includes 159,347 participants (mean age 44.3 years, 82.6% female) across multiple decades.
Six dietary patterns were assessed: the Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010), the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, the Healthful Plant-Based Diet Index (hPDI), the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI), and reversed empirical dietary indices for hyperinsulinemia (rEDIH) and inflammation (rEDIP). Findings indicate that greater adherence to these dietary patterns correlates with a reduced risk of SCD, with the DASH diet showing the strongest protective effect (risk ratio [RR] 0.59; 95% CI 0.57-0.62). Other patterns also demonstrated significant associations: hPDI (RR 0.76), rEDIH (RR 0.76), PHDI (RR 0.80), AHEI-2010 (RR 0.84), and rEDIP (RR 0.89).
In particular, adherence to the DASH diet during ages 45 to 54 was strongly linked to lower SCD risk and improved global cognition (mean z-score difference of 0.05; 95% CI, 0.02-0.09). Key food groups contributing to better cognitive outcomes included higher consumption of vegetables and fish, alongside reduced intake of red and processed meats.
In conclusion, the study underscores the significance of healthy dietary patterns, especially the DASH diet, in mitigating cognitive decline and promoting cognitive health. [NPID: DASH diet, dietary patterns, cognitive decline, cognition]
Year: 2026
