Impact of Diet on Cognition across Adulthood

Presenter

Maura Maguire

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Douglas Martini, Department of Kinesiology, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 5, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A53, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 3 (A41-A60) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Introduction:

The relationship between diet quality and cognitive development has grown in interest in recent years, particularly concerning diet’s impact on long-term cognitive health across age. The purpose of this review and meta-analysis was to determine the effects of different diets in early adulthood on long-term brain health, including the prevention of cognitive disorders later in life. Specific diets considered included the Western diet (high intakes of refined grains, sweets, fried foods, high-fat, high-fructose products) along with the Mediterranean diet (high in fruits, vegetables, and nuts).

Methods:

Two electronic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) were searched, resulting in 9 articles that had eligible studies. Keywords including diet, cognition, longitudinal, and cognitive decline were used during the search. Studies included a food frequency questionnaire and a dietary guidelines index. Additionally, all studies assessed cognition with the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and some had sub-assessments with the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). A meta-analysis was performed to determine the effect of diet on cognition. Cohen’s d-effect sizes were calculated based on the reported means and standard deviations.

Results: 

A Mediterranean diet or a diet high in polyphenols significantly positively impacted scores on the MMSE and the RAVLT. The  Mediterranean diet had moderate to strong effect sizes on MMSE scores (range: 0.64 - 1.75), as well as on RAVLT scores (range: .52-1.25). 

Conclusion:

The Mediterranean diet appears to have at least a moderate positive impact on sustaining cognitive ability from younger to older adulthood. Sustaining cognition across adulthood has tangential positive impacts on mobility, independence, and quality of life.

Keywords

mediterranean diet on cognition, cognitive decline, Meta-Analysis, cognition and western diet

Research Area

Neuroscience and Cognitive Science

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