Greater long-term adherence to the MIND diet is linked with slower biological ageing and a lower risk of dementia and death, with part of this protection mediated through reduced systemic ageing, as measured by a DNA methylation biomarker.
February 2024 – Annals of Neurology
Key takeaways
- Slower ageing linked to healthier eating: Adhering to the MIND diet over nearly two decades was associated with a slower pace of biological ageing, measured via the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock. This finding highlights the role of long-term dietary choices in decelerating multi-system decline, which is relevant for preserving vitality and extending healthspan in later life
- Biological ageing partially explains dementia risk: A slower biological ageing process mediated 27% of the association between a healthy diet and lower dementia risk. This suggests that dietary effects on brain ageing are partly driven by system-wide physiological resilience, though a significant portion may involve more direct effects on brain structure and function
- Stronger protective effect on mortality: The pace of biological ageing explained 57% of the link between diet and reduced risk of death. This stronger mediation, compared to dementia, points to systemic ageing as a key pathway through which nutrition influences longevity, beyond just neurological health
- Epigenetic ageing as a prevention tool: The DunedinPACE clock proved a sensitive indicator of diet-related biological ageing and future dementia or mortality risk. Its integration into wellness strategies could help track the effects of lifestyle interventions on ageing processes, offering personalised insights for healthy ageing and disease prevention
Read the article at: Thomas, Aline, et al. “Diet, Pace of Biological Aging, and Risk of Dementia in the Framingham Heart Study.” Annals of Neurology, vol. 95, no. 6, 2024, pp. 1069–1079. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.26900.
