A study published on May 12, 2026, in Neurology indicates that healthier plant-based diets may help lower the risk of dementia. Plant-based diets have previously been associated with reduced risks of diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
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The research involved 92,849 participants, averaging 59 years of age, with 55% being women. These individuals completed detailed food questionnaires in the 1990s and about half provided similar dietary information a decade later. Researchers categorized the diets into three groups: an overall plant-based diet (favoring plant foods over animal products), a healthful plant-based diet (rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables), and a less healthful plant-based diet (which included refined grains, fruit juices, potatoes, and added sugars).
Over the next ten years, they monitored the development of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia among the participants. The findings revealed that those who adhered to healthier plant-based diets had a 32% lower risk of cognitive impairment and a 15% lower risk of dementia compared to those following less healthful plant-based diets.