Prudent diet may attenuate the adverse effects of Western diet on cognitive decline

INTRODUCTION The influence of mixed dietary patterns on cognitive changes is unknown. METHODS A total of 2223 dementia-free participants aged ≥60 were followed up for 6 years to examine the impact of dietary patterns on cognitive decline. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was administered. Diet was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. By factor analysis, Western and prudent dietary patterns emerged. Mixed-effect models for longitudinal data with repeated measurements were used. RESULTS Compared with the lowest adherence to each pattern, the highest adherence to prudent pattern was related to less MMSE decline (β = 0.106, P = .011), whereas the highest adherence to Western pattern was associated with more MMSE decline (β = -0.156, P < .001). The decline associated with Western diet was attenuated when accompanied by high adherence to prudent pattern. DISCUSSION High adherence to prudent diet may diminish the adverse effects of high adherence to Western diet on cognitive decline.