Emma writes...

Brain and mental health are key aspects of ageing well, which can be influenced by diet and other lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol consumption.

Back in May 2024, Emma Writes focused on dementia awareness,(3) giving an overview of the condition and the current guidance on reducing risk and dietary considerations. To recap from that blog, ‘it’s estimated that by 2030, over one million people in the UK will have a diagnosis of dementia and, currently, 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 have dementia in the UK.4 Around 65% of those living with dementia in the UK are women.4 Dementia can affect people at any age but it is most common in those over the age of 65.’

With the growing ageing population and with it, the incidence of dementia, where does diet play a role in this area?

Be EPIC?

At the BAPEN conference held in November 2024, researcher and expert speaker, Professor Anne Marie Minihane (Professor of Nutrigenetics, University of East Anglia), shared key points from research which looked at the nutrition and cognition in later life,(5) specifically the role of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet).

Results from the large multicentre cohort EPIC – Norfolk study(6) was published in 2019 and evaluated MedDiet adherence and cognitive function in older UK adults. Data from the study showed that a higher adherence to the MedDiet is associated with better cognitive function and a lower risk of poor cognition in older UK adults.

Further research via the MEDEx-UK trial(7) was presented by Prof Minihan, which has provided insights into the potential impact that MedDiet +/- physical activity can have on cognitive health in older adults at risk of dementia.

Better adherence to MedDiet and physical activity does help to improve cognitive function. When comparing participants who adhered to the MedDiet versus participants who followed a more traditional Western diet, improvements in mood and anxiety were significantly different between the two groups and differences could be seen within just five days.

Sounds fishy?

It is acknowledged that DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function and has other health benefits.(8)

The role of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in cognitive health as we age was also discussed by Professor Minihane during her session. She highlighted that depletion of DHA within the brains occurs as we age, particularly affecting women of menopausal age.9 However, there is mixed RCT evidence for introducing DHA supplementation as a preventative measure for dementia and there is limited data available regarding effective dosages, frequency and age for intervention.(9)

Whilst there are still many questions to be answered in relation to the best way to age and which approaches are the most beneficial, there is some data to support a high-quality MedDiet diet for ageing well. More research is emerging regarding diet and the impact it can have on how we age in the future. Potentially arming us with more knowledge to further prevent or reduce some of the challenges of ageing. The unanswered questions are there to be investigated with time but there’s a good indication that eating well has the potential to help us to age well.