A new study published in Nature Medicine shows that following a Mediterranean-style diet could reduce the risk of dementia, even in people with 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 three decades of observation.
Genetic Risk Can Be Offset
The research focused on the APOE4 gene variant, one of the strongest genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. While carrying one copy of APOE4 triples the risk and two copies increase it up to twelvefold, participants who adhered closely to a Mediterranean diet had significantly lower dementia rates. The protective effects were especially strong for people with two copies of APOE4. Researchers suggested that dietary strategies could broadly influence metabolic pathways that affect brain health, making nutrition a key tool in countering genetic vulnerability.
