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Research shows that healthy eating patterns continue to be associated with brain health protection, even among people with biomarkers linked to Alzheimer’s.
A healthy diet may be associated with a reduced risk of dementia, even in people who already have biomarkers related to Alzheimer’s disease. This conclusion was reached in a study conducted with nearly 1,900 adults aged 60 and over, followed for up to 15 years. During this period, 240 participants developed dementia.
Furthermore, the results indicate that diet quality remained related to a lower risk of the disease, even among individuals with biological signs considered to be at higher risk.
BIOMARKERS CAN IDENTIFY BRAIN CHANGES BEFORE THE FIRST SYMPTOMS
Before the appearance of symptoms, brain changes can begin many years in advance. Therefore, blood biomarkers have been used to indicate biological processes related to the brain.
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These markers include changes in proteins associated with Alzheimer’s, damage to nerve cells, and changes in the cells responsible for protecting neurons.
However, biomarkers alone do not determine who will develop dementia. They only indicate a higher risk in part of the population.
STUDY LINKS HEALTHY EATING PATTERNS TO REDUCED RISK OF DEMENTIA
During the follow-up, diet was assessed at different times. Subsequently, different eating patterns were compared with biomarker levels.
As a result, people with healthier diets showed a lower risk of developing dementia.
Moreover, this association was also observed among participants who had biological changes related to Alzheimer’s.
Instead of isolated foods, complete eating patterns were analyzed, as daily diet consists of different combinations of foods.
DIET WITH LOWER INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL SHOWED THE MOST CONSISTENT RESULTS
Among all the patterns analyzed, the diet with the lowest inflammatory potential showed the most consistent results.
In participants with higher biological risk, this eating pattern was associated with a relative reduction of up to 30% in the risk of dementia.
Even so, the researchers emphasized that this percentage represents a comparison between groups. Therefore, it does not guarantee that an individual will not develop the disease.
Furthermore, as it is an observational study, the research identifies associations but does not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
WHAT IS A DIET WITH LOWER INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL
In general, this dietary pattern prioritizes:
- Vegetables and fruits;
- Whole grains;
- Legumes;
- Tea and coffee.
On the other hand, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of:
- Red and processed meats;
- Refined grains;
- Sugary drinks.
According to the researchers, this dietary pattern may help reduce persistent inflammatory processes, which have been linked to brain aging.
MEDITERRANEAN DIET AND OTHER DIETARY PATTERNS WERE ALSO ANALYZED
In addition to the less inflammatory diet, the Mediterranean diet and a diet based on general health recommendations were also evaluated.
In this case, both showed a stronger association with reducing the risk of dementia among people with lower levels of biomarkers.
Even so, the researchers emphasized that these patterns can also bring benefits to individuals with higher biological risk.
RESEARCH PRESENTS STRENGTHS BUT ALSO IMPORTANT LIMITATIONS
Among the main strengths are the long follow-up of participants, repeated dietary assessments, and the comparison of different dietary patterns.
On the other hand, the diet was measured by questionnaires. Furthermore, all participants were from a single urban region in Sweden and, on average, had good health and a high level of education.
For this reason, the results may not represent all populations.
MAIN CONCLUSION: HEALTHY EATING CAN CONTRIBUTE TO BRAIN HEALTH
Finally, the researchers emphasize that healthy eating does not eliminate the risk of dementia.
Age, genetic factors, cardiovascular health, social conditions, and other factors continue to influence the development of the disease.
Even so, the results suggest that diet continues to play an important role in brain health, even when Alzheimer’s-related biological changes are already present.
