Overview
- An analysis in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry of 1,647 Framingham Offspring participants found higher MIND diet scores tracked with slower gray matter loss and less ventricular growth over about 12 years.
- Each 3-point rise on the 15-point MIND scale was linked to roughly 20% less gray matter decline and an estimated 2.5-year delay in brain aging.
- The MIND diet blends Mediterranean and DASH eating and emphasizes leafy greens, berries, nuts, beans, whole grains, poultry, fish, and olive oil while limiting red and processed meat, butter, cheese, fried foods, and sweets.
- Food-level signals were not uniform, with whole grains tied to faster gray matter decline and higher cheese intake tied to slower decline in this cohort analysis.
- A separate study reported that higher unprocessed meat intake was linked to slower decline only in people who carry APOE4, suggesting diet effects may depend on genetics.