A team of researchers highlights the crucial role of pro-inflammatory diet in the appearance and development of dementia, starting with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Diets high in saturated fat and processed carbohydrates increase the risk of dementia by 84% compared to diets that are anti-inflammatory, high in fiber and omega-3.
- Pro-inflammatory diets may worsen brain inflammation and promote the formation of amyloid plaques, a marker of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Although observational, this research highlights the importance of diets like the Mediterranean in reducing inflammation and protecting cognitive health.
With the prevalence of dementia expected to reach 152 million cases by 2050, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), researchers are exploring lifestyle factors, such as diet, to reduce risks more than ever before. A new study reveals that pro-inflammatory foods could notably play a crucial role in the development of dementia and in particular Alzheimer’s disease.
A proven link between diet and cognitive health
As part of their work, published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementiascientists from the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s & Neurodegenerative Disease (United States), among other institutes, followed for 13 years nearly 1,500 participants aged 60 or over, initially free of dementia. Dietary data, collected using questionnaires, made it possible to calculate their scores on the food inflammatory index (IIA) scale. At the end of the research, 246 participants developed dementia, including 187 Alzheimer’s disease.
As a reminder, the IIA measures the inflammatory potential of a diet by evaluating its nutrients and food components. Pro-inflammatory elements include saturated fats, processed carbohydrates and excessive calorie intake. In contrast, anti-inflammatory elements include fiber, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
As a result, it appears that high scores on the IIA scale significantly increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. “This reflects a diet that promotes systemic inflammation, known to contribute to neurodegeneration”summarize the researchers in a press release. In detail, each increase of one unit in the IIA score increases the risk of dementia by 21%, and that of Alzheimer’s by 20%. People with a strongly pro-inflammatory diet were 84% more likely to develop dementia than those on an anti-inflammatory diet.
The benefits of anti-inflammatory diets on cognition
Systemic inflammation is a key driver of neurodegenerative diseases. According to the authors of the study, pro-inflammatory diets could indeed worsen brain inflammation and promote the formation of amyloid plaques, a marker of Alzheimer’s disease. In contrast, anti-inflammatory nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids and flavonoids, may counteract these effects by reducing cytokine production and supporting brain health.
Although the study is observational and cannot establish a direct causal link, its results reinforce the importance of diet in preventing dementia. Diets like the Mediterranean or MINDrich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods, have already been shown to slow cognitive decline.
