A typical Mediterranean-style diet rich in items such as fish, fruit and nuts can help reduce the risk of dementia by nearly a quarter, according to a recent study. Experts from Newcastle University found that individuals who ate a Mediterranean-like diet had up to a 23% lower risk of dementia than those who did not. The research, published today in BMC Medicine, is one of the largest studies of its kind, as previous studies have typically been limited to small sample sizes and low numbers of dementia cases.
Priority for researchers
The researchers analyzed data from 60,298 individuals from the UK Biobank, a large cohort comprising individuals from across the UK who completed a dietary assessment. The authors scored individuals based on how closely their diet matched key features of the Mediterranean diet. The participants were followed for nearly ten years, during which 882 cases of dementia were recorded.
The authors considered each individual’s genetic risk of dementia based on an estimate of what is known as their polygenic risk – a measure of all the different genes that are associated with dementia risk.
Dr. Oliver Shannon, Lecturer in Human Nutrition and Ageing, Newcastle University, led the study with Professor Emma Stevenson and co-author Professor David Llewellyn. The research also involved experts from the Universities of Edinburgh, UEA and Exeter and was part of the Medical Research Council-funded NuBrain consortium.
Dr Shannon said: “Dementia affects the lives of millions of individuals worldwide and there are currently limited treatment options for the condition.
“Finding ways to reduce the risk of developing dementia is therefore a top priority for researchers and doctors. “Our study suggests that eating more of a Mediterranean diet could be one strategy to help individuals reduce their risk of dementia.”
The authors found no significant interaction between polygenic risk of dementia and associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet. They say this may suggest that even for those at higher genetic risk, a better diet could reduce the likelihood of developing the condition.
This finding was not consistent across all analyses, and the authors suggest further research to assess the interaction between diet and genetics on dementia risk.
John Mathers, professor of human nutrition at Newcastle University, said: “The good news from this study is that even in those at higher genetic risk, a better diet reduced the likelihood of developing dementia.
“Although more research is needed in this area, it reinforces the public health message that we can all help reduce our risk of dementia by eating more of the Mediterranean diet.”
An important intervention
The authors caution that their analysis is limited to individuals who self-reported their ethnicity as White, British, or Irish, as genetic data were only available based on European ancestry, and that further research is needed in a range of populations to determine potential advantage.
They concluded that based on their data, a Mediterranean diet with a high intake of healthy plant foods may be an important intervention to incorporate into future strategies to reduce the risk of dementia.
Dr Janice Ranson, from the University of Exeter, co-author of the paper, said: “The results of this large population-based study highlight the long-term benefits for brain health of eating a Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruit and vegetables. , whole grains and healthy fats.
“The protective effect of this diet against dementia was evident regardless of a person’s genetic risk, so it is likely to be a beneficial lifestyle choice for people who want to make healthy dietary choices and reduce their risk of dementia.
“Future efforts to prevent dementia could go beyond general advice on healthy eating and focus on encouraging people to increase their consumption of specific foods and nutrients that are essential for brain health.”
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