Research

Mixed

Plant-based diets, particularly those emphasizing nutritious plant foods, are associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia compared to non-vegetarian diets.

Shift your diet to center around plants: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. This pattern is linked to a significantly lower risk of dementia. Ensure you are eating 'nutritious' plant foods, as less healthy plant-based patterns may not offer the same benefits.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
A substantial cohort study conducted in Taiwan, involving 12,062 participants, revealed that vegetarians exhibited a 38% reduced risk of developing dementia in comparison to their non-vegetarian counterparts.
Ruyi Zhang et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2025

Why this rating

Supported by large cohort studies, though some conflicting US cohort data is noted.

Source

The intricate interplay between dietary habits and cognitive function: insights from the gut-brain axis

Ruyi Zhang et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2025

narrative_reviewCited 21×
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