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DASH diet adherence and cognitive function: Multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis
George D Daniel1, Haiying Chen2, Alain G Bertoni3
1Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Clinical Nutrition ESPEN
|December 3, 2021
Summary
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet showed no overall link to cognitive function in a diverse group. However, specific components like nuts, legumes, and whole grains were linked to better cognitive performance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet adherence is linked to cognitive function in White populations.
- Limited research exists on this association in diverse ethnic cohorts.
- The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort provides a unique opportunity to study this in diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between DASH diet adherence and cognitive function in the diverse MESA cohort.
- To investigate potential modifications of this association by factors like hypertension, diabetes, race/ethnicity, acculturation, and exercise.
Main Methods:
- Prospective evaluation of 4169 MESA participants.
- Assessment of DASH diet adherence via food frequency questionnaire at baseline.
- Cognitive function assessed using CASI, DSC, and DS at two follow-up exams.
- Regression analyses to determine associations with cognitive performance and decline, adjusting for confounders.
Main Results:
- Overall DASH diet adherence was not associated with cognitive performance or decline.
- Hispanic participants with higher DASH adherence performed worse on Digit Span (DS).
- Increased intake of nuts/legumes correlated with better CASI performance.
- Increased whole grain consumption correlated with better DSC and DS performance.
Conclusions:
- DASH diet adherence showed nominal association with cognitive function, with potential racial/ethnic differences.
- Further research is needed to clarify diet-cognition relationships across diverse racial and ethnic groups.
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