A study focusing on the MIND diet has demonstrated cognitive improvements over a span of three years, particularly notable in the initial two years. Both the group following the MIND diet and the control group, which concentrated on reducing caloric intake, experienced enhancements, indicating that weight loss could be a contributing factor.
The diet, formulated at RUSH University, is posited to contribute to the preservation of brain health.
Recent findings underscore the value of a sustained commitment to the MIND diet for optimizing cognitive wellness.
“Although the advancements in the three-year clinical trial were not as striking as those seen in earlier observational studies concerning the MIND diet, there was still a short-term cognitive improvement that aligned with long-term observational data,” stated Lisa Barnes, Ph.D., the principal investigator of the study and the associate director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at RUSH.
Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the results divulged that over a three-year duration, no significant statistical divergence was observed in cognitive changes between the MIND diet participants and the control group. Both sets were advised to cut down their caloric intake by 250 kilocalories daily. Nevertheless, substantial gains were witnessed during the study’s first two years.
“In both groups, we observed cognitive gains, albeit the improvements in the MIND diet group were marginally superior, although not statistically significant,” said Barnes. “Both groups experienced roughly a 5-kilogram weight reduction over the three-year period, suggesting that the cognitive benefits might be tied to weight loss.”
Incremental Advancements
This constitutes the inaugural randomized clinical trial intended to examine a diet believed to shield brain health against the degeneration of cognitive skills. The research involved individuals aged 65 or above without cognitive impairment. Over the last six years, the MIND diet has consistently been ranked among the top five diets by U.S. News & World Report.
Lisa Barnes emphasized the established linkage between diet and overall health, stating, “Participants in this research initially had subpar diets, as evidenced by a score of 8 or lower on a dietary assessment tool. Consequently, it is plausible to assume that they would either maintain their cognitive levels or slow down their cognitive decline in the future.”
The research was initially spearheaded by the late Martha Clare Morris, ScD, who demonstrated a decreased rate of cognitive decline in individuals consuming specific foods. The MIND diet, an acronym for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, is an amalgam of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets, both known to mitigate cardiovascular risks. Previous studies indicated that strict adherence to the MIND diet could substantially reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Involving 604 Participants Over Three Years
The latest examination, named “The MIND Diet for Prevention of Cognitive Decline in Older Persons,” was a randomized, Phase III trial comprising 604 participants who were overweight, had below-optimal diets, and a familial history of Alzheimer’s. The trial compared two different dietary interventions, each accompanied by mild calorie restriction for weight loss.
Participants received personalized dietary guidelines from dietitians and had consistent phone and in-person consultations, as well as occasional group sessions throughout the study. Cognitive and physical evaluations were conducted five times over the study’s duration.
“Substantial support and accountability were provided to all participants by trained registered dietitians,” said Jennifer Ventrelle, the lead dietitian on the MIND diet trial at RUSH. “Although this contributed to overall improvement, it limited the ability to discern significant differences between the two groups within this relatively brief timeframe.”
By the study’s conclusion, all participants had lost approximately 5.5% of their initial body weight, exceeding the targeted 3%, which is considered clinically significant for preventing or ameliorating adverse health conditions.
Key Dietary Components
The MIND diet comprises 14 key dietary elements, including nine that are considered “brain-healthy,” such as fish, chicken, leafy greens, berries, and nuts, and five categories deemed detrimental: red meat, butter and stick margarine, full-fat cheese, sweets, and fried foods.
Reference: “Trial of the MIND Diet for Prevention of Cognitive Decline in Older Persons” by Lisa L. Barnes, Ph.D., et al., published on 17 August 2023, in the New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2302368.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about MIND diet study
What is the main focus of the MIND diet study?
The primary focus of the study is to examine the effects of the MIND diet on cognitive function over a period of three years, particularly in individuals 65 years or older without cognitive impairment.
Who conducted this research study?
The research was led by Lisa Barnes, Ph.D., the associate director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at RUSH University. The study involved collaboration between RUSH in Chicago and the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.
What were the groups involved in the study?
The study involved two groups: one following the MIND diet and another control group focused on calorie reduction. Both groups were guided to reduce their caloric intake by 250 kilocalories per day.
Were there any significant cognitive improvements observed?
Cognitive improvements were observed in both groups over the three-year period, particularly during the first two years. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups by the end of the study.
How many participants were enrolled in the study?
The study enrolled 604 participants who were overweight, had a suboptimal diet, and had a family history of Alzheimer’s disease.
What is the MIND diet?
The MIND diet is short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. It is a hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets and is designed to be protective for brain health.
What are the food components of the MIND diet?
The MIND diet has 14 dietary components. It recommends nine “brain-healthy food groups” such as chicken and fish, green leafy vegetables, berries, and nuts. It also advises avoiding five unhealthy groups: red meat, butter, full-fat cheese, pastries, and fried foods.
Does weight loss play a role in cognitive improvement?
Both groups lost approximately 5 kilograms over the three years, and the study suggests that weight loss could have been a contributing factor to the observed cognitive improvements.
What are the future directions for this research?
Future research aims to examine specific food groups and their associations with biomarkers measured in the blood to identify which nutrients and food groups are more crucial for cognitive health.
Was the study peer-reviewed?
Yes, the study was peer-reviewed and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
More about MIND diet study
- The New England Journal of Medicine Publication
- RUSH University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
- Harvard School of Public Health
- Mediterranean Diet Information
- DASH Diet Overview
- U.S. News & World Report Diet Rankings
- National Institutes of Health Funding
- Alzheimer’s Disease Information
- Clinical Trial Phases Explained
10 comments
Interesting but not too surprising. I mean, it’s common sense, you are what you eat, right? But good to see some science backing it up.
Is it just me or is it weird that both groups improved? kinda makes me wonder what other factors might be at play here.
Honestly, i’m just here for the recipes. Anyone know where I can find some that are MIND-diet friendly?
Where’s the meat? I mean literally, this diet cuts out red meat. How am I supposed to live without my steaks?
Kudos to the researchers. This could be life-changing info for older people, especially those with a family history of Alzheimer’s.
Not too surprised about the weight loss aspect. It’s pretty clear that being healthier overall helps your brain too.
So the MIND diet’s the real deal, huh? Gotta try it out. Anyone have any good recipe ideas that fit the MIND diet?
Wow, this is really insightful! Never knew diet could play such a crucial role in cognitive health. hats off to the research team!
Great read! Good to know that you don’t have to follow the diet 100% to see benefits. That’s a relief.
Really comprehensive article. Nice to see a deep dive into something so important. Makes you think twice about what you’re putting in your mouth.