India's aging population is facing a growing incidence of dementia, driven by various age-related non-communicable diseases. Recent findings from the Hyderabad-based ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) suggest that diet plays a significant role in cognitive health, particularly highlighting the importance of micronutrient intake.

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The study indicates that diets rich in fruits and vegetables—natural sources of essential vitamins and minerals—are associated with a lower risk of dementia. Investigating a sample of 570 adults aged 40 to 80 from both rural and urban areas in Telangana, researchers sought to understand the relationship between micronutrient levels and dementia risk.

Utilizing a culturally adapted version of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Ageing and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) score, the study assessed cognitive performance through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and analyzed blood samples for vitamin levels. Findings revealed that nearly 40% of participants had a higher predicted risk of dementia, predominantly those with poor nutritional status.

Deficiencies in key vitamins, especially vitamin D and B-complex vitamins such as B2, B6, and B12, were significantly more common among those at higher risk. Participants at risk also reported consuming less diverse diets, with higher intakes of saturated fats and lower amounts of healthier unsaturated fats.

A rural-urban divide emerged from the data, showing that vitamin deficiencies were more prevalent among rural participants, likely due to limited access to nutrient-rich foods.

Lead investigator G. Bhanuprakash Reddy highlighted that as India's aging population grows, the expected increase in dementia cases by 2050 underscores the importance of micronutrient status in managing risk factors linked to cognitive decline. He stressed the need for public health interventions focusing on improving dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy.

ICMR-NIN director Bharati Kulkarni pointed out the urgency of addressing nutritional factors in dementia prevention strategies. With limited therapeutic options available, early identification of risk factors combined with timely intervention is vital. The research, conducted in collaboration with the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health and Sweden's Karolinska Institute, was published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia on June 9, 2026.