MIND Diet Linked to Brain Health

A new study links adherence to the MIND diet with fewer signs of brain damage linked to dementia, offering clues about why diet helps.

MIND Diet Shields Brain Health Against Dementia

A team at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago studied how closely people followed the MIND diet, a mix of Mediterranean and DASH diet ideas. They looked at postmortem brains of 809 people and used years of diet data before death. Those who stuck to the MIND pattern had fewer signs of hippocampal sclerosis, a brain condition tied to dementia.

The researchers explain that the MIND diet emphasizes vegetables, whole grains, fish, and poultry while limiting dairy, red meat, and fried foods. They note that dementia risk has long been linked to diet, and this study adds a possible mechanism by showing the brain’s hippocampus may be protected by these foods. The work appears in JAMA Network Open and controlled for various demographic and genetic factors, but it does not prove causation.

This study adds to a growing view that what we eat can influence brain health, not just heart health or weight. If the hippocampus is protected by certain foods, dietary guidance could become a concrete tool in dementia prevention. Still, the data are observational and rely on postmortem analysis, so we should be cautious about drawing firm conclusions for individuals.

Experts say the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of MIND foods could help explain the finding. The work points to a broader trend: broad, plant-forward eating patterns may offer the best real-world benefits for cognitive aging rather than single “superfoods.” Future research should explore other brain biomarkers and longer-term studies to confirm how diet shapes brain health over time.

Highlights

As scientists refine the links between meals and memories, ordinary dinners could play a role in brain health.