Diet and Cognitive Function in Aging: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis from 8 Cohorts in Europe and the United States.
J NutrJun 29, 2026 (epub)
Natalia Soldevila-Domenech, Amaia Ayala-Garcia, Xia Zhou et al.
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis examined the relationship between dietary patterns and cognitive function in 17,368 participants from 8 cohorts in Europe and the US. It found that higher adherence to the continuous Mediterranean Diet was associated with better global cognition, while adherence to DASH correlated with improved executive function. Longitudinal associations were limited.
Key findings
- Higher adherence to the continuous Mediterranean Diet was associated with better global cognition.
- Adherence to DASH was linked to better executive function.
- Greater consumption of red and processed meat correlated with poorer executive function.
- Longitudinal analyses showed limited associations, with only the MIND diet linked to favorable executive function trajectories.
Why it matters
Understanding the impact of dietary patterns on cognitive health is crucial as populations age. This study highlights the potential role of diet in cognitive function, although findings suggest that the effects may be modest and influenced by measurement methods.