Childhood Diet Linked to Long-Term Cognitive Health
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The findings of a study
on the long-term effects of diet were presented at the June 2024 meeting of the
American Society for Nutrition, in Chicago. The study tracked diet and
cognitive abilities of more than 3,000 adults enrolled in a British survey
since 1946. The participants’ diet was analyzed at five points in time, and
their cognitive ability at seven points. The researchers found that higher
dietary quality was closely linked with greater cognitive ability, including
working memory, processing speed and general cognitive performance. Those with
the highest cognitive abilities over time ate more vegetables, fruits, legumes
and whole grains, and less sodium, added sugars and refined grains. Only 8
percent of participants with low-quality diets sustained high cognitive abilities.
The results of the study suggest that the cumulative effects of diet are linked
to how sharp the mind is as we age.
