Research

Mixed

Higher adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet (MedDiet) is associated with slower rates of cognitive decline, reduced conversion to Alzheimer's disease, and improvements in specific cognitive domains including memory, executive function, and visual constructs.

Adopting a Mediterranean-style diet, characterized by high intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, and olive oil with low consumption of red meat and sugars, is associated with slower cognitive decline and better memory and executive function in adults. This dietary pattern may help maintain brain health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

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These revealed that higher adherence to a MedDiet is associated with slower rates of cognitive decline, reduced conversion to Alzheimer’s disease, and improvements in cognitive function. The specific cognitive domains that were found to benefit with improved Mediterranean Diet Score were memory (delayed recognition, long-term, and working memory), executive function, and visual constructs.
Roy J. Hardman et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2016

Why this rating

Based on a systematic review of 18 longitudinal and prospective trials, including randomized controlled trials and cohort studies, though with heterogeneity in assessment methods.

Source

Adherence to a Mediterranean-Style Diet and Effects on Cognition in Adults: A Qualitative Evaluation and Systematic Review of Longitudinal and Prospective Trials

Roy J. Hardman et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2016

DOI 10.3389/fnut.2016.00022

systematic_reviewCited 174×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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