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Effect of Dietary Intake Through Whole Foods on Cognitive Function: Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

  • Nutrition and the Brain (J Nasser, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review evaluated recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the chronic intake of whole foods associated with the Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurogenerative Delay (MIND), and ketogenic (KETO) diets on cognitive function.

Recent Findings

We identified RCTs related to olive oil (N = 3), nuts (N = 7), fatty fish (N = 1), lean meats (N = 4), fruits and vegetables (N = 9), legumes (N = 1), and low-fat dairy (N = 4), with 26/29 reporting positive results on at least one measure of cognition. We also identified 6 RCTs related to whole food–induced KETO diets, with half reporting positive effects on cognition.

Summary

Variations in study design (i.e., generally the studies are < 6 months and include middle-aged and older, cognitively intact participants) and small sample sizes make it difficult to draw conclusions across studies; however, the current evidence from RCTs generally supports individual component intakes of these dietary patterns as an effective, nonpharmacological approach to improve cognitive health in adults.

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Funding

This review was supported by funds from the San Antonio Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center and the Office of Academic Affiliations and with resources and the use of facilities of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA

    Rozmin Jiwani RN, PhD & Alfonso Neri

  2. Geriatric Research, Education & Clinical Center (GRECC), South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Rozmin Jiwani RN, PhD, Ronna Robbins PhD, RD, Jose Renero BS & Monica C. Serra PhD

  3. Dolph Briscoe, Jr. Library, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Emme Lopez MLS, AHIP

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  1. Rozmin Jiwani RN, PhD
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Jiwani, R., Robbins, R., Neri, A. et al. Effect of Dietary Intake Through Whole Foods on Cognitive Function: Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Curr Nutr Rep 11, 146–160 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-022-00412-5

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