A recent Swedish study, published in JAMA Network Open, indicates that adopting an anti-inflammatory diet could significantly lower the risk of developing dementia, especially for those with existing heart-related health issues.

The study, which followed more than 84,000 older adults over a 12-year period from the UK Biobank, under the age of 60 who were initially free of dementia between 2006 and 2010. Over an average of 12.4 years, 1.9% of participants developed dementia.

The researchers found that participants who adhered anti-inflammatory diets, like the Mediterranean diet that prioritize heavily plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans, had a 21% lower chance of developing dementia compared to those who consumed a pro-inflammatory diet rich in red meats, eggs, dairy, and processed foods.

The protective effects were even greater for those with conditions like heart disease or diabetes. In these individuals, sticking to an anti-inflammatory diet reduced the risk of dementia by 31%.

MRI scans of a subset of over 9,000 participants revealed additional brain health benefits associated with the healthier diet. They found larger gray matter volume and fewer white matter hyperintensities—both signs of better brain health—in those following an anti-inflammatory diet,

Since high levels of white matter hyperintensities are often linked to dementia, their reduced presence in individuals on an anti-inflammatory diet is encouraging.

The findings suggest that an anti-inflammatory diet, those based around consuming almost all to all plant-based foods, may help reduce systemic inflammation, particularly in those with cardiovascular or metabolic conditions, potentially slowing the onset of dementia.

A Dove et al. Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Dementia in Older Adults With Cardiometabolic Diseases. JAMA Network Open (2024). doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.27125