Abstract
Objective
Our aim was to evaluate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and cognitive function in 823 participants (62 ± 6 years at baseline) from a Spanish prospective cohort (SUN project).
Method
A validated 136-item food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the adherence to the MedDiet at baseline. The 10-point (0 to 9) MedDiet Score was used to categorize adherence to MedDiet. Cognitive function was assessed twice at follow-up with a mean follow-up time between exposure and outcome assessment of 6 and 8y using the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status-modified (TICS-m, range 0 to 54 points). ANCOVA models were used to assess the association between adherence to the MedDiet and cognitive decline.
Results
In the multivariable-adjusted analysis of 2-year changes, a higher cognitive decline was observed among participants with low or moderate baseline adherence to the MedDiet than among those with better adherence (adjusted difference = −0.56 points in TICS-m, 95% CI = −0.99 to −0.13).
Conclusion
A higher adherence to the MedDiet might be associated with better cognitive function. However, observed differences were of small magnitude and further studies are needed to confirm this finding.
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Galbete, C., Toledo, E., Toledo, J.B. et al. Mediterranean diet and cognitive function: The sun project. J Nutr Health Aging 19, 305–312 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0441-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0441-z