A large-scale study has found that following a Mediterranean-style diet can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia, even among people with strong genetic predispositions. The diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and low in red and processed meats, was linked to slower cognitive decline over a 30-year period.
APOE4 and the Role of Nutrition
Carrying the APOE4 gene variant is one of the strongest known genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, tripling the risk with one copy and raising it up to 12 times with two. Yet researchers observed that those who adhered closely to a Mediterranean diet had better outcomes, with the strongest benefits seen in people carrying two copies of the variant. The findings suggest that dietary choices may help counteract genetic vulnerabilities by influencing metabolic processes tied to brain health.
While the study was limited by its mostly European-ancestry sample, researchers emphasized that it highlights the potential of incorporating diet, genetics, and metabolic data into dementia risk assessments and prevention strategies.
