Healthy diet in middle ages can help better cognitive function in oldage: Study

A new study suggests that greater adherence to a healthy diet, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), may lower the risk of self-perceived cognitive decline and support better brain function.

DASH is considered a heart-healthy diet, stressing on an intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy. It also promotes fish and poultry and restricts salt and fatty red meat.

The findings published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Neurology also show that links between a healthy diet and cognitive health were "more pronounced" when followed during midlife, between the ages of 45-54.

The researchers, including those from the US' Harvard and China's Zhejiang universities, said that while healthier diets are believed to benefit cognitive health, few studies systematically examine multiple dietary patterns within the same settings.

The team analysed diet and cognitive function data of over 1.5 lakh participants -- with majority of them being women -- taken from the US' Nurses' Health Study (NHS, 1986-2014), NHS-II (1991-2017) and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986-2012).

The Healthful Plant-Based Diet Index (hPDI) and the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI) were among the six diets studied.