Impact of Heart-Healthy Diet on Cognitive Function in Mid-Life

Overview of Alzheimer’s Disease and Diet

Researchers in Ireland have investigated the potential effects of a heart-healthy diet on cognitive abilities, particularly thinking and memory skills, during mid-life. In 2017, nearly 44 million individuals globally were affected by Alzheimer’s disease or related forms of dementia. Notably, 30% of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s also have heart disease, while 29% have diabetes. Given the established benefits of a heart-healthy diet in reducing the risks associated with heart disease and diabetes, scientists are now exploring its possible connections to cognitive function.

Study Details from Queen’s University Belfast

A team from Queen’s University Belfast conducted a comprehensive 30-year study to analyze the relationship between a heart-healthy diet and brain health. The results were published in the journal Neurology. The study followed 2,621 participants, starting at an average age of 25, over three decades. Researchers assessed the participants’ adherence to specific dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and the A Priori Diet Quality Score (APDQS).

Methodology and Findings

At the outset of the study, as well as at seven and twenty years in, participants provided detailed information about their diets. Based on their adherence levels, participants were categorized into low, medium, or high adherence groups. Their cognitive health was evaluated between the ages of 50 and 55.

The findings indicated that the Mediterranean and APDQS diets were associated with the most significant benefits for brain health. In contrast, the DASH diet did not demonstrate any notable advantages. Key contributors to the positive impacts of these diets included higher levels of monounsaturated fats, such as those found in extra virgin olive oil, along with increased consumption of beans and peas.

Study Limitations

It is important to note that the study had limitations. As an observational study, it could not account for all potential factors influencing brain health. Additionally, the intervals between brain health assessments and dietary evaluations were relatively short, which may affect the robustness of the findings.

Expert Insights

In a press release, study author Claire T. McEvoy, PhD, stated, “While we don’t yet know the ideal dietary pattern for brain health, changing to a heart-healthy diet could be a relatively easy and effective way to reduce the risk for developing problems with thinking and memory as we age.” Although the prospect of lowering the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may seem daunting, adopting a heart-healthy diet could yield numerous benefits for both present and future brain health.

References

Bowman G, Scarmeas N. Dietary patterns in early life pay dividends for midlife cognitive performance. Neurology. 2019:10.1212/WNL.0000000000007229. doi:10.1212/wnl.0000000000007229
Alzheimer’s Statistics. Alzheimers.net. https://www.alzheimers.net/resources/alzheimers-statistics/. Published 2019. Accessed March 15, 2019.