A diet traditional to the Mediterranean region, characterized by a high intake of seafood, fruits, and nuts, has been linked to a lower risk of developing dementia. This connection was highlighted in a study published in BMC Medicine, which reported that individuals adhering closely to a Mediterranean diet exhibited up to a 23% reduced risk of dementia compared to those with lower levels of adherence.
The importance of diet as a modifiable risk factor for dementia is gaining attention for its potential role in disease prevention and risk mitigation. Small participant numbers and a limited number of dementia cases have often constrained previous investigations into the effects of the Mediterranean diet on dementia risk. In a more expansive study, Oliver Shannon and colleagues analyzed data from 60,298 participants from the UK Biobank who had undergone dietary assessment. The researchers employed two scoring methods to evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Over an average follow-up period of 9.1 years, there were 882 reported dementia cases. Additionally, the study considered the genetic predisposition of individuals for developing dementia by estimating their polygenic risk, which encompasses various genes associated with dementia risk.
The study found that participants with the highest level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet faced a 23% lower risk of dementia compared to those with the lowest adherence, translating to an absolute risk reduction of 0.55%. Interestingly, the study found no significant relationship between the genetic predisposition for dementia and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. That suggests that the association between higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of dementia may hold regardless of an individual’s genetic risk factors. However, this observation was inconsistent across all sensitivity analyses conducted, leading the authors to suggest the need for further research to explore the interaction between diet and genetics concerning dementia risk.
It’s important to note that the study’s analysis was primarily focused on individuals who self-identified as white, British, or Irish due to the genetic data being available solely for European ancestry. This limitation underscores the need for future research across diverse populations to fully understand the potential benefits of the Mediterranean diet in reducing dementia risk. The authors conclude that incorporating a Mediterranean diet, rich in healthy plant-based foods, could be crucial in future strategies to lower the risk of dementia.
More information: Oliver M. Shannon et al, Mediterranean diet adherence is associated with lower dementia risk, independent of genetic predisposition: findings from the UK Biobank prospective cohort study, BMC Medicine. DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-02772-3
Journal information: BMC Medicine Provided by BMC (BIOMED CENTRAL)
