Effect of Dietary Intake Through Whole Foods on Cognitive Function: Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review evaluated recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the chronic intake of whole foods associated with the Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurogenerative Delay (MIND), and ketogenic (KETO) diets on cognitive function. RECENT FINDINGS: We identified RCTs related to olive oil (N=3), nuts (N=7), fatty fish (N=1), lean meats (N=4), fruits and vegetables (N=9), legumes (N=1), and low-fat dairy (N=4), with 26/29 reporting positive results on at least one measure of cognition. We also identified 6 RCTs related to whole food-induced KETO diets, with half reporting positive effects on cognition. Variations in study design (i.e., generally the studies are<6months and include middle-aged and older, cognitively intact participants) and small sample sizes make it difficult to draw conclusions across studies; however, the current evidence from RCTs generally supports individual component intakes of these dietary patterns as an effective, nonpharmacological approach to improve cognitive health in adults.

published proceedings

  • Curr Nutr Rep

author list (cited authors)

  • Jiwani, R., Robbins, R., Neri, A., Renero, J., Lopez, E., & Serra, M. C.

complete list of authors

  • Jiwani, Rozmin||Robbins, Ronna||Neri, Alfonso||Renero, Jose||Lopez, Emme||Serra, Monica C

publication date

  • June 2022