The quality of nutrition throughout life is directly related to the risk of dementia.
The quality of nutrition from childhood to old age is directly related to the level of cognitive abilities and the risk of dementia. This conclusion was reached by researchers who analyzed data from participants in the 1946 British Birth Cohort Study, which has tracked the health of individuals for over 70 years. The results of the study were published in Current Developments in Nutrition (CDN).
Scientists compared the trajectories of diet and mental development of more than 3,000 individuals, using the Healthy Eating Index and cognitive test results at different stages of life—from childhood to age 69. It was found that participants with consistently higher diet quality were more likely to be in the group with the best cognitive performance, while those with less healthy diets showed significantly lower levels of mental abilities.
The connection with dementia was particularly telling. In the group with low diet quality, signs of probable dementia in old age were observed 4–7 percent more often than in those who adhered to a moderately or well-balanced diet throughout their lives. These differences persisted even when accounting for social status, region of birth, and level of leisure activity.
The authors emphasize that this is not about short-term diets, but about long-term adherence to healthy eating principles. In their opinion, consistent following of dietary recommendations from an early age can be an important factor in protecting cognitive health and reducing the risk of age-related memory and thinking impairments.
