Researchers at Rush University in Chicago observed that older adults who embraced a Mediterranean-style eating pattern scored higher on cognitive ability tests. The study results appeared in a leading medical journal focused on neurology. The work involved 586 participants who took part in the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a long-running effort to understand aging and brain health in older Americans. Investigators tracked daily habits, including diet and physical activity, and collected background information on work history, lifestyle choices, general health behaviors, and marital status to build a comprehensive health profile for each person.
A health behavior adherence score was created for every participant, based on self-reported factors, with a scale from one to five points. The score reflected how closely an individual followed recommended health and lifestyle practices. Cognitive function was tested repeatedly over the course of the study. Researchers focused on essential measures such as memory, processing speed, attention, and other cognitive abilities as participants aged. Those who followed a Mediterranean diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, cheese, and olive oil, along with an overall healthy lifestyle, tended to demonstrate stronger cognitive performance in later life compared with peers with less healthy habits.
After the participants passed away, scientists examined their brains for signs of Alzheimer’s disease, including beta-amyloid and tau tangles. The analyses suggested that a Mediterranean style of eating and an active, health-conscious lifestyle may help shield individuals from cognitive decline even when brain changes associated with the disease were present.
Earlier research has hinted that certain habits might elevate dementia risk. The results from this study add to growing evidence that a nutritious diet and consistent healthy behaviors can play a protective role in preserving mental function during aging.