The benefits of a Mediterranean diet on cognitive decline may differ among people from different races, a new study finds.
Previous studies have touted the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet, including reduction in cognitive decline. However, a new study found that this effect may differ among people from different races.
The study was conducted on 2,326 participating older adults who were accessed using several Modified Mini-Mental State Examinations (3MS). All participants were aged between 70 and 79 years. The study lasted for eight years.
"In a population of initially well-functioning older adults, we found a significant correlation between strong adherence to the Mediterranean diet and a slower rate of cognitive decline among African American, but not white, older adults. Our study is the first to show a possible race-specific association between the Mediterranean diet and cognitive decline," the study authors said in a press statement.
The researchers also clarified that further studies need to be conducted on the topic to confirm the findings as well as determine the mechanism behind this association
