Following a healthful diet provides many benefits throughout the life cycle. Maintaining good eating habits as we age can be especially helpful to preserve cognitive health―the ability to remember, learn, and make decisions. This publication provides tips for healthful eating that may help to maximize brain health in older adults.
Which foods should I eat to support brain health?
Dietary patterns that are best known for promoting heart health may also be beneficial for brain health. The Mediterranean dietary pattern emphasizes whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, olive oil, and fish, as well as moderate amounts of meat and dairy products (Widmer et al. 2015). This dietary pattern also includes wine, although it is not recommended to start consuming alcohol if one has not done so previously. Following a Mediterranean dietary pattern has been linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia (Wu and Sun 2017) and may improve cognitive function in older adults (Loughrey et al. 2017).
Another dietary pattern that may be beneficial for brain health is the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) (Solfrizzi et al. 2017), a diet that is recommended for decreasing blood pressure and heart disease risk (Chiavaroli et al. 2019). The DASH diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts. Individuals following this dietary pattern are encouraged to limit their intake of red meat, sweets, sugar-containing beverages, and foods high in saturated fat.
As foods recommended in the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet have been found to be helpful in maintaining brain health, combining the foods recommended in each of these dietary patterns may be even more beneficial. The MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) has been tested for its effectiveness to protect brain health. This diet focuses on more plant-based foods and less animal-derived foods (Marcason 2015). Following the MIND diet has been linked to a better verbal memory (Berendsen et al. 2018) and less cognitive decline after stroke (Hosking et al. 2019).
Table 1 shows foods that may be helpful for protecting brain health (Marcason 2015). Aim for at least 5 servings of vegetables each day, especially green leafy (e.g., spinach, collards, and kale) and cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts). Target at least 4 servings of fruits each day, choosing berries often. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods such as olive oil, walnuts, and fatty fish (e.g., salmon, tuna, and sardines) help to maintain brain health. Choose unsalted nuts or nut butter most every day. A meal based on legumes (e.g., chickpeas, lentils, and various beans) is recommended at least twice a week. Choose fish at least 3 times a week. For information on recommended servings of foods for promoting brain health, please see the Brain Health Food Guide at http://www.baycrest.org/wp-content/uploads/BHFG_optimized.pdf.
Which foods should I limit to support brain health?
The MIND dietary pattern emphasizes eating more plant-based foods and limiting animal foods that are high in saturated fat. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and are found in animal products like butter, cream, and the fat within and around meat, as well as in margarine and bakery and snack foods made with hydrogenated vegetable oils. To promote brain health, avoid store-bought baked foods such as donuts, cakes, and cookies, as well as sugary and salty snacks and most pre-packaged, frozen, and canned meals. In the Brain Health Food Guide, it is recommended to limit meat and poultry to no more than one meal per day, and red and processed meats to less than once a week. Table 2 lists food that should be limited or avoided to protect brain health (Marcason 2015).
Should I be concerned about specific nutrients?
As we age, there is an increased risk for vitamin B12 deficiency. As vitamin B12 helps to keep the brain and nervous system healthy, it is important to consume animal-sourced foods containing vitamin B12, such as dairy foods, meat, fish, poultry, and eggs. For those who consume only plant-sourced foods, it is recommended to choose foods fortified with vitamin B12 or take a vitamin B12 supplement. Some examples of foods that may be fortified with vitamin B12 include non-dairy milks (e.g., soy milk), meat substitutes (e.g., tofu), and certain breakfast cereals.
Older adults who eat adequate amounts of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and low-fat dairy products tend to have better nutritional status and overall quality of life (Bernstein and Munoz 2012). Similarly, the MIND diet emphasizes these important food groups and may help to delay or prevent memory decline and cognitive decline (Berendsen et al. 2018; Hosking et al. 2019). Including a wide variety of foods from the Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND dietary patterns may be beneficial for brain health and will also provide the nutrients needed to support overall health.
References
Berendsen, Agnes M., J. H. Kang, E. J. M. Feskens, C. P. G. M. de Groot, F. Grodstein, and O. van de Rest. 2018. “Association of Long-Term Adherence to the Mind Diet with Cognitive Function and Cognitive Decline in American Women.” The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging 22 (2): 222–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-017-0909-0.
Bernstein, M., and N. Munoz. 2012. "Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: food and nutrition for older adults: promoting health and wellness." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 112 (8): 1255–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2012.06.015
Chiavaroli, Laura, Effie Viguiliouk, Stephanie K. Nishi, Sonia Blanco Mejia, Dario Rahelić, Hana Kahleová, Jordi Salas-Salvadó, Cyril W. Kendall, and John L. Sievenpiper. 2019. “DASH Dietary Pattern and Cardiometabolic Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.” Nutrients 11 (2). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11020338.
Hosking, Diane E., Ranmalee Eramudugolla, Nicolas Cherbuin, and Kaarin J. Anstey. 2019. “MIND Not Mediterranean Diet Related to 12-Year Incidence of Cognitive Impairment in an Australian Longitudinal Cohort Study.” Alzheimer’s & Dementia 15 (4): 581–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2018.12.011.
Loughrey, David G, Sara Lavecchia, Sabina Brennan, Brian A Lawlor, and Michelle E Kelly. 2017. “The Impact of the Mediterranean Diet on the Cognitive Functioning of Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Advances in Nutrition 8 (4): 571–86. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.117.015495.
Marcason, W. 2015. "What Are the Components to the MIND Diet?" Journal of the Academy Nutrition Diet 115 (10): 1744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2015.08.002.
Solfrizzi, V., C. Custodero, M. Lozupone, B.P. Imbimbo, V. Valiani, P. Agosti, A. Schilardi, A. D'Introno, M. La Montagna, M. Calvani, V. Guerra, R. Sardone, D. I. Abbrescia, A. Bellomo, A. Greco, A. Daniele, D. Seripa, G. Logroscino, C. Sabba, and F. Panza. 2017. "Relationships of Dietary Patterns, Foods, and Micro- and Macronutrients with Alzheimer's Disease and Late-Life Cognitive Disorders: A Systematic Review." Journal of Alzheimers Disease 59 (3):815–849. https://doi.org/10.3233/jad-170248.
Wu, Lei, and Dali Sun. 2017. “Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Risk of Developing Cognitive Disorders: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies.” Scientific Reports 7 (1): 41317. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep41317.
Widmer, R.J., A.J. Flammer, L.O. Lerman, and A. Lerman. 2015. "The Mediterranean diet, its components, and cardiovascular disease." American Journal of Medicine 128 (3): 229–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2014.10.014.