The MIND diet, cognitive function, and well-being among healthy adults at midlife: a randomised feasibility trial

The Mediterranean and DASH diets have demonstrated potential in slowing cognitive decline, yet their primary design was not aimed at dementia prevention. In contrast, the MIND diet was specifically formulated based on empirical evidence linking dietary components to brain health and cognitive decline prevention. This research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the MIND diet on cognitive function, mood, and quality of life, employing the Behaviour Change Wheel and the COM-B model to promote adherence to the MIND diet in midlife. An online pilot randomised control trial (RCT) was conducted with 41 participants aged 40-55 years, divided into three groups: MIND diet with support (n = 15), MIND diet without support (n = 14), and a control group (n = 12) over a 12-week period. Assessments of cognitive function, mood, quality of life, adherence to the MIND diet, and the COM-B components were evaluated at baseline and follow-up. Results from a repeated measures ANOVA indicated significant improvements in mood, quality of life, MIND diet scores, and all COM-B components in both intervention groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences in cognitive function were observed between groups. This study is notable as it represents the first RCT assessing the utility of the COM-B model in enhancing adherence to the MIND diet. Given that only two RCTs have previously tested the MIND diet’s effectiveness on cognitive function, further research with extended durations is essential to establish a conclusive relationship between the MIND diet and cognitive function in midlife adults. The study advocates for employing fewer Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs), concentrating on self-monitoring, goal setting, and dietary education as effective strategies to promote adherence to the MIND diet. [NPID: MIND, quality of life, COM-B, cognitive decline, behavior change wheel]

Year: 2025

Reference: Timlin, D., McCormack, J. M., Kerr, M., Keaver, L., & Simpson, E. E. A. (2025). The MIND diet, cognitive function, and well-being among healthy adults at midlife: a randomised feasibility trial. BMC nutrition, 11(1), 59. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01020-6

Related Studies

Sleep, mood disorders, and the ketogenic diet: potential therapeutic targets for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are severe psychiatric conditions that significantly impair quality of life and reduce life expectancy. While treatments such as medications and psychosocial support are available, many individuals with these disorders continue to face challenges in social participation, and some show resistance to current therapies. Although the precise causes of bipolar disorder and […]

Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

This meta-analysis expands on previous reviews by synthesizing contemporary studies on the link between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and mental health disorders. It included 17 observational studies (n = 385,541), 15 cross-sectional and 2 prospective. The analysis found that higher UPF consumption was associated with increased odds of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Specifically, there was […]