As more investigations have shown that diet plays a vital role in healthy cognitive and brain ageing, it becomes a potential target for investigation. In a recent study, dietary patterns were derived from a 130-item food frequency questionnaire for 511 respondents with an average age of 79.3 years. The respondents completed tests of problem-solving, thinking speed, memory, word knowledge and a questionnaire about their eating habits during the previous year. Brain volumes and white matter microstructure were assessed in participants (n = 358) who underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging. The results revealed that closely adhering to a Mediterranean diet, which involves more green leafy vegetables and less in meat in particular, was associated with better cognitive functioning among older adults in their late 70s. To explore whether closer adherence and long-term Mediterranean diet adherence can affect cognitive functions, further interventions will be done.

Keywords: Healthy aging, Brain and cognitive, Mediterranean diet

Reference

Corley J, et al. Experimental Gerontology, 2020;142:111117