Adherence to MIND diet prevents physical impairment in older adults

Older adults who adhere to the Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet are less likely to experience physical function impairment and decline and may even have better muscle strength, according to a study.

The results indicate that the MIND dietary pattern may protect the physical functional health of older men and women, the investigators said.

Data from 1,358 men and women in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (mean age 68 years at first diet visit) were collected and assessed using food frequency questionnaires. The investigators calculated the MIND diet score from 15 food groups, with a higher score indicating better diet quality, and used tertile categories of averaged MIND score across visits.

The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), with a score <10 indicative of impaired function, and the Health, Aging and Body Composition Physical Performance Battery (HABCPPB) were used to assess physical function. The investigators used the highest value of grip strength over three trials. They then examined multivariable logistic and linear mixed-effects models with repeated measurements of physical function and grip strength, respectively.

Over a median follow-up of 6 years, MIND score inversely correlated with physical function impairment (per 1-point increment: odds ratio [OR], 0.81, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.71‒0.93; p<0.01), and with each SPPB component.

Participants in the highest tertile of MIND diet score had 57-percent lower chances of functional impairment (OR, 0.43 percent, 95 percent CI, 0.25‒0.73; p<0.01) and slower decline by the HABCPPB compared to those in the lowest tertile.

In addition, men and women in the highest vs lowest tertiles of MIND score had 1.86-kg (95 percent CI, 0.33‒3.40; p<0.05) and 1.24-kg (95 percent CI, 0.04‒2.45; p<0.05) greater grip strength, respectively.

“Diet quality may be protective of physical function and muscle strength during ageing,” the investigators said.