.webp "Certain diets like the MIND diet may have cognitive health benefits.")
A recent study has found that cutting daily calorie intake by a small amount may improve cognition in older people. The study found that improvements in cognition did not differ significantly between people who followed the MIND diet and those on any mild calorie restriction. The MIND diet is a hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets, and both diets have been shown to have a small positive effect on cognition. The study enrolled a total of 604 people, all of whom reported a family history of Alzheimer’s disease and were on suboptimal diets but showed no signs of cognitive decline on testing. All participants had a body mass index (BMI) over 25 (overweight).
They were randomly divided into two groups: 301 people were allocated to the MIND diet, and the remaining 303 remained on their normal diet. In addition, the researchers reduced everyone’s daily intake by 250 calories, as one of the aims of the study was to reduce body mass by 3–5%. The participants were told to remain on their diet for three years, during which time they had regular dietary counseling over the phone and in person. Both groups were advised about portion size to ensure their calorie intake was correct.
Those on the MIND diet were also told which new foods to include and which foods they should not eat. The researchers followed up with the participants four times during the three years to assess their mental abilities, blood pressure, diet, physical activity, health conditions, and medication use. After six months, then 12, 24, and 36 months, participants undertook a range of cognition tests run by researchers who were unaware of which diet group they were in. The study found that both diets had a small positive effect on cognition, with neither being significantly better than the other.
These results suggest that following the MIND diet or cutting daily calorie intake by a small amount may help improve cognition in older people. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests that dietary interventions may have a positive impact on cognitive health in older adults. Further research is needed to determine the optimal dietary interventions for improving cognitive function in this population.
