The association between adherence to a plant-based diet and cognitive ageing

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Gerontology
• Cognitive Aging Research

Background:

• Limited research exists on the long-term health impacts of plant-based diets, particularly concerning cognitive aging.
• Plant-based diets are recognized for sustainability and animal welfare benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between adherence to a plant-based diet and cognitive aging in older adults.
• To explore how different types of plant-based diets (healthful vs. unhealthful) influence cognitive function over time.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 658 community-dwelling adults aged 65+ at baseline and 314 at 2-year follow-up.
• Assessment of global and domain-specific cognitive functioning using validated tests.
• Calculation of plant-based dietary indices and application of multivariate-adjusted linear regression models.

Main Results:

• No significant association was found between overall plant-based diet adherence and global cognitive function or cognitive change.
• Neither healthful nor unhealthful plant-based diet indices were associated with cognitive functioning or its change.
• Fish consumption modified the association; individuals consuming ≥0.93 portions/week benefited cognitively from higher plant-based diet adherence.

Conclusions:

• A generally plant-based diet was not associated with cognitive aging in this cohort.
• A potential association may exist within a subpopulation with higher fish intake.
• Findings suggest that diets combining plant foods and fish, like the Mediterranean diet, might support cognitive aging.