A healthy dietary pattern at midlife is associated with subsequent cognitive performance

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Neuroscience
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Long-term effects of dietary patterns (DP) on cognition remain under-investigated.
• Midlife dietary habits may significantly influence cognitive aging.
• Understanding these links is crucial for developing preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between empirically derived midlife dietary patterns and cognitive performance 13 years later.
• To identify specific dietary patterns linked to cognitive outcomes.
• To explore potential moderating factors, such as energy intake.

Main Methods:

• Dietary data collected via 24-h records from the Supplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxydant Study.
• Cognitive function assessed using a neuropsychological test battery (verbal fluency, memory, executive function).
• Multivariate analyses adjusted for numerous baseline and follow-up covariates, including lifestyle and health status.

Main Results:

• Two dietary patterns were identified: a 'healthy' and a 'traditional' pattern.
• Adherence to the healthy dietary pattern was significantly associated with better global cognitive function (P-trend = 0.001) and verbal memory (P-trend = 0.01).
• These beneficial associations were more pronounced in individuals with lower energy intake.

Conclusions:

• A healthy dietary pattern in midlife may contribute to preserving global cognitive function and verbal memory into later life.
• Regulated total energy intake appears to enhance the cognitive benefits of a healthy diet.
• Findings support the role of diet in cognitive health maintenance throughout the lifespan.