A recent study published in BMC Medicine highlights the Mediterranean diet not only for its cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits but also for its potential to preserve cognitive function in aging. This diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and healthy fats, is well-known for its overall health benefits.
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Research conducted by scientists from Rovira i Virgili University and the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute in Tarragona, Spain, alongside CIBERobn, indicates that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is linked to a healthier gut microbiota and a slower rate of cognitive decline among older adults with overweight, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.
According to Jiaqi Ni, a postdoctoral researcher at URV and first author of the study, individuals with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet experience less cognitive decline compared to those with lower adherence. The study addresses the increasing issue of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, among aging populations, suggesting that dietary modifications could help mitigate cognitive decline.
Researchers followed 746 older adults classified as having overweight or obesity and at high cardiovascular risk over six years. They used questionnaires to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet and analyzed gut microbiota through stool samples while monitoring cognitive function throughout the study.
Findings revealed that those who closely followed the Mediterranean diet had a more diverse and beneficial gut microbiota and demonstrated improved cognitive wellness over time. Additionally, the study used artificial intelligence to identify a specific microbial signature associated with the Mediterranean diet, which reflects the abundance of certain gut bacteria linked to this dietary pattern.
Ni notes that this signature, derived from the 20 most relevant bacterial groups, allows researchers to create a score correlating greater adherence to the diet with stronger cognitive protection. The positive cognitive effects are likely connected to metabolites produced by these beneficial bacteria which support overall health.
The study emphasizes the microbiota's significant role in the cognitive advantages of the Mediterranean diet and proposes that improving dietary habits could be a straightforward method to enhance brain health.
Reference: Ni J, Hernández-Cacho A, Nishi SK, Babio N, et al. Mediterranean diet, gut microbiota, and cognitive decline in older adults with obesity/overweight and metabolic syndrome: a prospective cohort study. BMC Med. 2025 Dec 1. doi: 10.1186/s12916-025-04488-y.