The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Publishes Study Associating Mediterranean-style Diet with Cognitive Function
A new study recently published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition directly flies in the face of claims made by Dr. Perlmutter in his book, Grain Brain. The study, which examined adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and Mediterranean Diet patterns and their respective associations with cognitive change over an eleven-year study period, found both diets to have a protective effect against age-related cognitive decline in men and women 65 years of age or older. In fact, over time, higher levels of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and the DASH diet were consistently associated with better cognition in elderly participants. These findings are in direct opposition to Dr. Perlmutter’s claims.
When looking at specific foods, researchers found two food groups in particular, whole grains and nuts and legumes, were primarily associated with better cognitive health and may be considered neuroprotective foods. What makes this especially important is the fact that according to the researchers, no other studies to date have examined associations between whole grain consumption and cognitive decline/dementia apart from its contribution to a dietary pattern, making this a landmark study for the grain-based foods industry. Pasta is a is key element in many Mediterranean Diets as well as an important component of the grain group in the DASH diet.
You can view the abstract to the study on the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition website.
You can also find more scientific information and research about grains on the Grains for your Brain website.
