Accordance to a MIND–Style Diet is Associated with Decreased Risk of Dementia Mortality in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Disparities in Stroke (REGARDS) Cohort

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe Mediterranean‐DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet (high in nuts, seeds, vegetables, berries and low in meat, dairy, and butter) has been associated with reduced risk of dementia. However, no studies have examined the role of the MIND diet in a racially diverse population nor have there been studies that have examined the association of the MIND diet with dementia mortality.MethodWe examined data from Black and White adults (age 45‐98) in the US‐based REGARDS cohort. Dietary and covariate data were collected at baseline (2002‐2007). MIND diet score was created as described by other cohort studies (Table footnote). The primary outcome was dementia‐related mortality through December 31, 2020 from the National Death Index using ICD‐10 codes F00‐F03, G30, G31.0‐G31.1, and R54. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model MIND diet score (in tertiles and as a continuous variable) and time to dementia death. To ensure robust association across sub‐groups, we tested for interactions of MIND diet with sex, race, age, obesity, history of stroke, and baseline cognitive impairment and adjusted for competing risks.ResultA total of 18,277 participants (mean age 64.9) had dietary data available to calculate the MIND diet score. MIND diet score was higher among females compared with males, White compared with Black participants, and college graduates. There were no differences in accordance by age. After a median of 12 years, participants with the highest MIND diet scores had the lowest risk of dementia death HR = 0.78 {95% CI; (0.66, 0.94)} comparing the 3rd tertile with the 1st tertile and after adjustment for age, race, sex, income, education, total energy, and other medical conditions (Table). This association was attenuated slightly when a competing risk analysis was considered HR = 0.84 {95%CI; (0.70, 1.00)}. There were no significant interactions observed.ConclusionThe MIND diet score is associated with dementia death in a large bi‐racial cohort in the US. This association is robust across race, age, and sex groups. Dietary interventions using the MIND diet may further clarify whether this association is causal and whether MIND diet may be an important tool in reducing rates of dementia.