Brain & Nervous System Alzheimer's Prevention Does the Mediterranean Diet Impact Brain Health and Memory? By Esther Heerema, MSW facebook twitter linkedin Esther Heerema, MSW, shares practical tips gained from working with hundreds of people whose lives are touched by Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia. Learn about our editorial process Esther Heerema, MSW Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD on November 27, 2019 linkedin Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, is an award-winning, board-certified physician-scientist and clinical development specialist. Learn about our Medical Review Board Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD Updated on October 24, 2020 Print The Mediterranean diet is not intended to be a weight loss diet; rather, it's a way of eating that is similar to the diet of those living near the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean diet consists of large amounts of vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, whole grains, olive oil, seeds, herbs, and spices. It also includes fish, seafood, eggs, cheese, and poultry, and it recommends infrequent red meat and sweets. autumnhoverter / Getty Images Improved Cognitive Functioning A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that women who consistently ate a Mediterranean diet demonstrated better current cognitive functioning. The researchers of this study concluded, however, that this type of diet did not protect the women from future cognitive declines. Other studies found that adherence to a Mediterranean diet was correlated with improved cognition in people (both men and women) over the age of 65, as well as slower rates of overall cognitive decline. Decreased Risk of Alzheimer's Disease Multiple studies have demonstrated a connection between following a Mediterranean diet and a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Decreased Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment Research has also demonstrated a reduced risk of developing mild cognitive impairment for those who adhere to a Mediterranean diet. Mild cognitive impairment is a condition that sometimes, but not always, leads to further cognitive decline and a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Reduced Likelihood of Progression From Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia Research outlined in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease indicates that people with mild cognitive impairment were less likely to progress to Alzheimer's disease if they consistently followed a Mediterranean diet. Which Comes First: The Chicken or the Egg? One study found that intelligence level at a young age predicted how healthy of a diet the person would consume at middle age, as well as that person's level of cognitive functioning in late life. The researchers concluded that initial intelligence level predicted late-life cognition, rather than mid-life diet determining memory and other cognitive abilities in later life. Does Meat Consumption Make a Difference? An interesting study considered how the different foods that make up the Mediterranean diet — when separated — affect cognition. These researchers found that the Mediterranean diet as a whole approach wasn't significant. However, when the different foods of the Mediterranean diet were isolated, they found that a low consumption of meat and meat products was significantly correlated with better performance on a cognitive screening test and increased brain volume. A Word From Verywell Although the research doesn't agree on every aspect, it appears very likely that a healthy diet such as the Mediterranean diet is good for our brains — perhaps both in current cognitive ability and also in reducing our future risk for dementia. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! When it comes to Alzheimer's, the MIND diet has shown promise in reducing risk and promoting brain health. Sign up for our Alzheimer’s and Dementia Newsletter and get your free recipe guide today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Corley J, Starr JM, Mcneill G, Deary IJ. Do dietary patterns influence cognitive function in old age? Int Psychogeriatr. 2013;25(9):1393-407. Lourida I, Soni M, Thompson-coon J, et al. Mediterranean diet, cognitive function, and dementia: a systematic review. Epidemiology. 2013;24(4):479-89. Oldways Preservation Trust. 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