The Mediterranean, dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH), and Mediterranean-DASH intervention for neurodegenerative delay (MIND) diets are associated with less cognitive decline and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease-a review

Van den Brink et al. (2019) presented a review of the existing evidence examining the associations of the Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diets and their dietary components with cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Among the 56 studies included in this review, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was related to higher cognitive scores in 9 of 12 cross-sectional studies, 17 of 25 longitudinal studies, and 1 of 3 trials, while higher DASH diet adherence was associated with better cognitive function in 1 cross-sectional study, 2 of 5 longitudinal studies, and 1 trial. Improved cognitive scores were seen in those who adhered well to the MIND diet in 1 cross-sectional study and 2 of 3 longitudinal studies. Evidence connecting these dietary patterns with dementia were limited, however higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower risk of AD in 1 case-control study and 6 of 8 longitudinal studies, with the same observed for either DASH or MIND diets in 1 longitudinal study. With respect to the components of these dietary patterns, olive oil may be associated with less cognitive decline. In summary, the findings of this review suggest that higher adherence to the Mediterranean, DASH, or MIND diets is associated with less cognitive decline and a lower risk of AD, with the strongest associations observed with the MIND diet. [NPIDs: aging, elderly, cognitive decline, neurodegenerative disorders, dementia, cognition, Mediterranean diet, Med diet, Alzheimer’s, AD, DASH, cognitive decline, olive oil]

Year: 2019

Reference: van den Brink, A. C., Brouwer-Brolsma, E. M., Berendsen, A., & van de Rest, O. (2019). The Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) Diets Are Associated with Less Cognitive Decline and a Lower Risk of Alzheimer's Disease-A Review. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 10(6), 1040–1065. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz054

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