Two scientists from the Karolinska Institutet have identified six foods that can help reduce the risk of dementia, including two common hot drinks: tea and coffee. Their research, published on The Conversation UK, found that anti-inflammatory diets significantly lower dementia risk.
Study Details and Findings
Researcher Anja Mrhar and Adrián Carballo Casla followed nearly 1,900 adults aged 60 and older in Sweden for up to 15 years. None had dementia at the start, but 240 developed it during the study period. The researchers examined dietary patterns and their link to dementia risk, considering blood markers for Alzheimer's disease, nerve cell damage, and biological stress in the brain.
They stated: "We found that people with healthier dietary patterns generally had a lower risk of dementia. Importantly, this pattern was also seen among people whose blood markers suggested higher biological risk, including Alzheimer's-related changes."
Key Foods and Dietary Patterns
A lower-inflammatory diet includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, tea, and coffee, while limiting red and processed meat, refined grains, and sugary drinks. The study highlighted that inflammatory diet choices were the most significant factor, with a 30% lower relative risk of dementia for those following anti-inflammatory eating habits.
The researchers explained: "Inflammation is part of the body's normal defence system. The concern is chronic, low-grade inflammation that remains active for years. This may affect the brain directly and indirectly through blood vessels, insulin resistance and heart health."
Broader Context and Implications
In the UK, around 982,000 people have dementia, projected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040, according to the Alzheimer's Society. The study compared Mediterranean-style diets, general healthy eating guidelines, and inflammatory potential. Mediterranean and general healthy diets were more strongly linked to lower dementia risk among people with lower biomarker levels, but still relevant for those at higher risk.
The researchers concluded: "The message should be modest: a healthy diet cannot erase dementia risk. Age, genes, cardiovascular health, social conditions and chance all play a part. But our findings suggest that diet may still be relevant for brain health even when early biological signs linked to higher risk are already present."
