Adherence to MIND and Mediterranean Diets Associated With Later Onset of Parkinson’s Disease

The MIND diet is a hybrid of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet. The MIND diet emphasizes the consumption of all kinds of vegetables, berries, nuts, olive oil, whole grains, fish, beans, poultry, and a moderate amount of wine.The DASH diet is an eating plan designed to lower or control high blood pressure by emphasizing foods that are lower in sodium as well as foods that are rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium. According to a recent study, adherence to the MIND or Mediterranean diets may be associated with later onset of Parkinson’s disease.

Participants in the group included 167 adults with Parkinson’s disease. Food frequency questionnaires were administered and used to determine adherence to the MIND and Mediterranean diets. Participants reported their age at onset of Parkinson’s disease.

The researchers found that participants who closely adhered to one of the two diets experienced later onset of Parkinson’s disease. On average, female participants who adhered to one of the two diets experienced onset up to 17.4 years later compared to female participants who did not adhere to either diet. Male participants who adhered to one of the two diets experienced onset up to 8.4 years later. This association was strongest for females who adhered to the MIND diet and for males who adhered to the Mediterranean diet.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of British Columbia.It was published online ahead of print on January 6, 2021 in the journalMovement Disorders.