# Sticking With Mediterranean or MIND Diets Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

- **Evidence Level**: Strong
- **Journal**: Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association
- **Sample Size**: 130,240 adults (86,740 women, 43,500 men), followed from 1980/1986 to 2023
- **Published**: 2026-03-01
- **Topics**: diet, dementia, cognitive-health
- **Original Source**: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41880148/

## Summary

Following a Mediterranean or MIND diet long-term was linked to meaningful reductions in dementia risk in a study of over 130,000 U.S. nurses and health professionals. Those with the highest Mediterranean diet scores had 21% lower dementia risk, while top MIND diet followers had 14% lower risk. Higher adherence was also tied to 0.75 to 1.59 fewer years of cognitive aging and roughly 40% lower risk of self-reported cognitive decline. Even people who improved their diet over 4 or 8 years saw similar benefits.

## Practical Takeaway

This study suggests long-term adherence to Mediterranean or MIND diets may be associated with lower dementia risk.

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_Canonical: https://longevity-switzerland.com/en/research/sticking-with-mediterranean-or-mind-diets-linked-to-lower-dementia-risk · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-03-01_