A clinical trial conducted in Iran revealed new insights into the MIND diet, which aims to support brain health. The published study in BMC Endocrine Disorders found that women with type 2 diabetes and insomnia experienced enhanced antioxidant defenses, along with improvements in energy and emotional well-being, after three months on a calorie-restricted MIND diet.
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Led by Mona Golmohammadi and Mehnoosh Samadi from Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, the study involved 44 overweight or obese women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and insomnia. Participants were divided into two groups of 22; one group followed a modified MIND diet, while the other adhered to a standard low-calorie diet. Over twelve weeks, researchers measured oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers, in addition to quality of life using the SF-36 questionnaire.
The results showed that women on the modified MIND diet had notable improvements in antioxidant levels, specifically in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). SOD, an enzyme that protects cells from oxidative damage, increased significantly, with a statistical effect estimate of 0.14. TAC also rose by an estimated 218.31 units, both results being statistically significant at p less than 0.05. This is particularly relevant as diabetes often leads to increased oxidative stress and inflammation.
Quality of life assessments indicated that the MIND diet group reported higher energy and emotional well-being compared to the control group. The effect estimates for energy and fatigue and emotional well-being were 7.87 and 8.03, respectively, and both were statistically significant.
The selective improvements in quality of life raise questions about their mechanisms. Chronic metabolic diseases like diabetes and insomnia can lead to fatigue and mood disturbances through heightened oxidative stress and inflammation. A diet rich in antioxidants might help mitigate these issues, although the study could not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
The MIND diet combines elements of the Mediterranean and DASH dietary patterns, focusing on foods linked to cognitive health while adjusting for participants needing weight loss. This trial, however, faced limitations including a small sample size and short duration, emphasizing the need for larger studies with longer follow-ups to validate findings.
The trial received ethical approval and was registered under IRCT20181111041611N8, with funding from the Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. The findings suggest that a calorie-restricted MIND diet could enhance antioxidant levels and improve quality of life for women with type 2 diabetes and insomnia, warranting further research to confirm long-term benefits.