Impact of MIND Diet on Attention in Children: New Research Findings presented at NUTRITION 2023

A recent study has suggested that a diet designed to prevent cognitive decline in adults may also have a positive impact on attention in preadolescents. This new research could potentially influence future nutritional programs aimed at improving children's cognitive development. The study examined two specific dietary patterns: the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet which combines elements of the Mediterranean diet with the heart-healthy Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and the Healthy Eating Index – 2015 (HEI-2015) based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Dr. Shelby Keye, who conducted the study as a doctoral student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, found that adherence to the MIND diet was positively associated with children's attentional inhibition – their ability to resist distractions. This suggests that the MIND diet could potentially enhance children's cognitive development, which is crucial for academic success.

The findings of this study will be presented at NUTRITION 2023, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, scheduled to take place in Boston from July 22-25. Similar to the DASH and Mediterranean diets, the MIND diet emphasizes the consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, and legumes like beans, lentils, and peas. However, the MIND diet also includes specific recommendations for brain-healthy foods such as leafy greens and berries.

While previous studies have shown positive effects of the MIND diet in adults, there is limited research on its effects in children. The research utilized data from a previous cross-sectional study led by Dr. Naiman Khan, a professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The study involved 85 participants aged 7 to 11 years who completed a seven-day diet record. Participants' adherence to the HEI-2015 and MIND diets was calculated, and their attentional inhibition was assessed through a task measuring spatial attention and executive control. The results indicated that higher MIND diet scores, but not HEI-2015 scores, were correlated with better accuracy on the attention task.

This suggests that children who adhered more closely to the MIND diet performed better on the task. However, the researchers caution that further intervention studies would be needed to establish causality. Future research plans include investigating the relationship between the MIND diet and attention in younger children, including preschoolers and toddlers, to determine any age-related differences or developmental effects.

In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into how dietary patterns can influence cognitive function in children. The potential benefits of the MIND diet on attentional inhibition highlight the importance of nutrition in promoting cognitive development in young individuals. This research opens up new avenues for exploring the role of diet in enhancing children's cognitive abilities and overall well-being.