Mediterranean diet is associated with less cognitive decline, according to research

Research involving the Epidemiology Unit of the Nutrition of the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) associates the Mediterranean diet with a healthier gut microbiota and slower cognitive decline in overweight or obese elderly people with metabolic syndrome.

According to the researchers, following a Mediterranean diet pattern benefits the heart and metabolism. In addition, in recent years more and more evidence has been found that it could also help preserve cognitive function as aging progresses, the UMH reported this Thursday in a statement.

Cognitive function includes abilities such as memory, attention, learning, language, or decision-making, which are essential for maintaining autonomy in daily life.

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With the passage of time, these capabilities can deteriorate progressively, a process that, in some people, accelerates and can lead to more serious problems, such as dementia.

Understanding which lifestyle factors can help slow down this decline is one of the big current questions in research on healthy aging.

The Mediterranean diet favors the intestinal microbiota

In this work, the team set out to determine whether the Mediterranean diet leaves a recognizable mark on the intestinal microbiota and whether, in turn, microbial health is associated with a more favorable cognitive evolution, according to the UMH press release.

To answer this question, the study has followed 746 people of both sexes for six years, with an average age of 65 and a high risk of suffering from cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. All of them were part of the PREDIMED-PLUS Study, one of the largest nutritional intervention cohorts in Spain.

The results indicate that people who more faithfully followed a Mediterranean diet presented a more favorable intestinal microbiota and a more positive cognitive evolution over time.

‘Microbial footprint’ of the Mediterranean diet and the ‘gut-brain axis’

One of the most innovative aspects of the work is the identification of a ‘microbial footprint’ specific to the Mediterranean diet. Data on the eating habits of the participants, combined with the analysis of their intestinal microbiota, have allowed them to find a new way to monitor health. This biomarker is based on the presence and abundance of certain intestinal bacteria associated with the Mediterranean diet. Biomarkers or biological markers are measurable signals that indicate a normal or pathological process and help detect diseases before symptoms appear, monitor their evolution, or evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment. According to the authors, this microbial signature is associated with slower cognitive decline, which provides new clues about the biological mechanisms that explain the benefits of the Mediterranean diet for the brain.

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The gut microbiota is made up of trillions of bacteria that are involved in key processes such as digestion, immunity, or the production of substances that influence the functioning of the body.

In recent years, research has highlighted the existence of the so-called ‘gut-brain axis’, a bidirectional communication system through which intestinal microorganisms can produce compounds that reach the brain and affect its functioning.