Anti-inflammatory diet slashes dementia risk by 30% in high-risk seniors

Even older adults at high risk for Alzheimer's disease can significantly reduce their chances of developing dementia by adopting a healthy diet, according to new research. The study, conducted by a team at the Karolinska Institute's Aging Research Center (ARC) in Sweden, was published in JAMA Network Open.

Dementia develops gradually over many years before symptoms appear. While advancements in blood tests can detect neurodegenerative changes early, the impact of lifestyle choices like diet on dementia prevention at this stage has remained unclear. The research team followed 1,865 adults over 60 who did not have dementia for up to 15 years. They repeatedly measured participants' dietary habits and analyzed blood biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's pathology and neural damage to assess their link to dementia incidence.

The findings revealed a significant reduction in dementia risk among participants who followed healthier diets. This effect was consistent even in individuals identified as being at biological risk for dementia. Among three dietary patterns analyzed, including the Mediterranean diet, an "anti-inflammatory diet", characterized by fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and oily fish, demonstrated the most pronounced preventive benefits.

Participants with biological signs of dementia risk who adhered to this anti-inflammatory eating pattern saw their relative risk of developing dementia decrease by as much as 30%. "This suggests that an anti-inflammatory diet can be an important factor in dementia prevention, even for individuals who already show biological signs of dementia risk," stated lead author Anja M. M. M. Mrhar. However, the researchers noted that as an observational study, it does not prove direct causation, and further research is needed.

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This suggests that an anti-inflammatory diet can be an important factor in dementia prevention, even for individuals who already show biological signs of dementia risk.