A study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests that multiple healthy diets may contribute to better brain health as people age. The research, published online on February 23, 2026, in JAMA Neurology, involved data from three long-term studies with 159,347 participants, primarily women (82.6%).
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Participants, who had an average age of 44 at enrollment, were assessed on how closely their diets adhered to six healthy patterns, including the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which focuses on plant-based foods and limits sodium and sugar consumption. Researchers then evaluated self-reported memory and attention abilities and performance on standard cognitive function tests.
Results showed that adherence to these diets was associated with significantly better cognitive functioning in later life. Notably, those who closely followed the DASH diet had a 41% lower risk of self-reported cognitive decline compared to those with the least adherence. Additionally, cognitive function test scores were higher among participants who maintained healthier diets, particularly for those aged 45 to 54.
While the study cannot definitively prove that these diets prevent cognitive decline, it suggests that early commitment to healthy eating may have long-term benefits for brain health.