Participants following the green-Mediterranean diet experienced a 58.33% improvement in glycemic status, which correlated with a younger brain age as assessed by changes in their hippocampal occupancy scores, according to a recent trial.
A recent analysis of the 18-month DIRECT PLUS trial indicated that Mediterranean (MED) and green-Mediterranean (green-MED) diets may be associated with neuroprotection and reductions in brain age, particularly through improvements in glycemic control. The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, enrolled 284 participants, predominantly male (88%), with a mean age of 51.1 years and a body mass index of 31.2 kg/m². Among the study participants, 224 of them completed the trial, during which brain structure was assessed via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Participants adhering to the green-MED diet, which emphasized high polyphenol intake from sources such as Mankai (an aquatic plant) and green tea, exhibited a significant decline in the hippocampal occupancy score (HOC), indicating a younger brain age. Greater improvements in HOC deviations were associated with reductions in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting glucose, and other metabolic markers. Specifically, a decrease in HbA1c was linked to a statistically significant attenuation of brain aging, with a regression coefficient of β = –0.254 (95% confidence interval = –0.392 to –0.117).
Furthermore, participants who experienced favorable changes in diabetes status showed greater improvements in brain age. Significant HOC changes were observed in participants transitioning from prediabetes to normal glycemic levels (P = .005). Notably, the green-MED diet group exhibited the most substantial metabolic improvements, with 58.33% of participants reverting to normal glycemic status, compared with 31.62% in the MED group and 28.57% in the healthy dietary guidelines group.
These findings suggested possible benefits of dietary interventions rich in polyphenols for enhancing cognitive health and mitigating age-related neurodegeneration. Further investigation is necessary to validate these results and assess their implications for brain health and the potential reduction of risks associated with cognitive decline.
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