A groundbreaking study presented at NUTRITION 2024 suggests that maintaining a high-quality diet from childhood through middle age could significantly impact cognitive function in later years. The research, which tracked over 3,000 individuals for nearly seven decades, found strong links between dietary quality and cognitive ability throughout life.
Dr. Kelly Cara, lead researcher from Tufts University, emphasized the importance of establishing healthy eating habits early in life. The study revealed that only 8% of those with poor diets maintained high cognitive abilities, while just 7% with high-quality diets experienced low cognitive function over time.
Participants who consistently consumed more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains while limiting sodium, added sugars, and refined grains showed the highest cognitive abilities. These findings underscore the potential long-term benefits of following current dietary guidelines for maintaining mental sharpness into old age.