According to a preliminary study presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 75th Annual Meeting, people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who follow a Mediterranean diet may have a lower risk of cognitive impairment than those who do not follow the diet. The study involved 563 people with MS who completed a questionnaire to show how closely they followed the Mediterranean diet. Participants were assigned a score of zero to 14 based on their responses, with higher scores given to those who more closely followed the diet.

“It’s exciting to see that we may be able to help people living with MS maintain better cognition by eating a Mediterranean diet,” said study author Ilana Katz Sand, MD, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, New York, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology.

The relationship was stronger among people with progressive MS than among those with relapsing-remitting MS. Longer studies and well-designed interventional clinical trials are needed to confirm the results.

The Mediterranean diet research suggests that the diet may help reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. It also notes that the diet may help improve sleep quality and reduce inflammation, which has been linked to a number of mental health conditions. Mental Health & Wellness Now website provides recipes and meal plans through Food is Mood – Easy Mediterranean & a 365 Meal plan.

Reference:

American Academy of Neurology. (2023, March 1). Mediterranean Diet May Lower Risk of Cognitive Impairment in People with Multiple Sclerosis. Newswise. Retrieved March 4, 2023, from https://www.newswise.com/articles/mediterranean-diet-may-lower-risk-of-cognitive-impairment-in-people-with-multiple-sclerosis.