A groundbreaking study offers hope for reducing memory loss and cognitive decline in women.
The research, featured in Alzheimer’s & Dementia journal, suggests that a specific diet designed to lower blood pressure, known as the DASH diet, may be a key to preserving cognitive function.
This is big news, especially considering that women, who represent over two-thirds of Alzheimer’s cases, could benefit significantly.
Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, currently affects about 6.5 million Americans aged 65 and older. By 2060, this number is expected to more than double.
Yu Chen, a professor at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine and the study’s senior author, explains that early complaints about cognitive performance are often signs of more severe conditions like Alzheimer’s.
The study shows that women who closely followed the DASH diet in their middle years were less likely to report cognitive issues decades later.
The DASH diet isn’t just any eating plan. It emphasizes plant-based foods rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium while limiting saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar.
This diet has long been linked to lowering blood pressure, a known risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia.
For this study, researchers analyzed data from over 5,000 women who were part of the NYU Women’s Health Study, an extensive research project studying the impact of lifestyle on cancer and other chronic conditions in women.
The participants, who were around 49 years old on average at the start of the study in the mid-1980s, were followed for over 30 years.
The researchers used detailed questionnaires to assess the women’s diets and cognitive health. They found that those most faithful to the DASH diet had a 17% lower chance of reporting multiple cognitive complaints.
Yixiao Song, a lead author of the study, emphasizes the importance of adopting a healthy diet in midlife to prevent cognitive impairment in older age.
Fen Wu, a senior associate research scientist who co-led the study, agrees, noting the dual benefits of the DASH diet in preventing both high blood pressure and cognitive issues.
The study’s findings are particularly relevant given the growing number of people affected by Alzheimer’s. However, the researchers believe that further studies across diverse racial and ethnic groups are necessary to confirm the general applicability of their results.
Funded by the National Institutes of Health and with additional coauthors from NYU and Columbia University, this study marks an important step in understanding how diet can influence brain health, especially in women.
It highlights the potential of midlife dietary choices to safeguard against cognitive decline in later years.
If you care about brain health ,please read studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and cranberries could help boost memory.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about heartburn drugs that could increase risk of dementia, and results showing this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, prevent dementia.
The research findings can be found in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
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