Does a “Brain-Healthy” Diet Preserve Cognitive Function in Older Adults?

Epidemiologic studies suggest an association between diet and dementia risk in older adults, but whether diet can improve cognitive function is unknown. In this study, 600 overweight older adults (mean age, 70; mean body-mass index, 34 kg/m²) with family histories of dementia were randomized to consume the MIND diet (a combination of the Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension [DASH] diet) or to practice portion control alone. Participants in each group received weekly individualized telephone counseling from a dietician for the first 6 months, and then every other week for 3 years, with the goal of achieving loss of 3% to 5% of baseline weight. Participants in the MIND group were provided with presumed “brain-hea…