A recent study has indicated that following a healthy diet consistently may help reduce the risk of dementia, even in those who already show early signs of Alzheimer's disease. The study could help in early management of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. Anti-Inflammatory Diet May Help Lower Dementia Risk According to a new study published in the JAMA Network Open, scientists found that participants who maintained better-quality diets over a period of 15 years were less likely to develop dementia, regardless of whether their blood tests indicated the presence of Alzheimer ’s related biomarkers. The findings also suggest that healthy eating habits may benefit even after the individual shows signs of the disease processes have begun. About The Study And Its Results The researchers followed middle-aged and older adults one and a half decades, examining their dietary habits alongside blood biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease, including phosphorylated tau217 (p-tau217), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light (NfL). These biomarkers are commonly used to detect early Alzheimer's-related changes and neurodegeneration before symptoms of the disease become visible. The participants followed a healthy diet, particularly a Mediterranean-style as well as an anti-inflammatory diet. The findings showed that individuals with healthier diets had a lower risk of developing dementia over the follow-up period. Remarkably, this association was observed even among participants who presented Alzheimer's biomarkers, indicating that diet may offer protective benefits despite early signs. Alzheimer's disease begins years, and sometimes decades, before memory problems emerge. During this preclinical stage, abnormal proteins accumulate in the brain while individuals remain symptom-free. Read more: New Blood Test May Predict Alzheimer's Symptoms At Least 4 Years In Advance: Study The new findings indicate that lifestyle factors such as diet could still influence dementia risk even after these biological changes have started. This reinforces growing evidence that preventive measures need not be limited to people without detectable Alzheimer's pathology. Not A Preventative Measure While the study shows promising results of the effect of a healthy diet on the neurodegenerative disease, it does not prove that diets can directly prevent dementia. The researchers emphasized that the study was merely an observation, meaning it highlighted an association rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship. It just supports the idea that long-term healthy eating could have a significant impact on one’s brain health throughout adulthood. Benefits Of Anti-Inflammatory & Mediterranean Diets The anti-inflammatory diet, as recommended by Harvard Nutrition Source, helps calm the immune system by choosing foods that reduce inflammation.This dietary approach encourages a balance of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, and other nutrient-dense foods while avoiding those that trigger inflammation. On the other hand, Mediterranean diet, long celebrated for its heart-and longevity-promoting benefits, is now gaining attention for its beneficial effects on the brain. This diet emphasizes plant-based foods, healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, with moderate fish intake. In another study published in Nature Medicine, researchers observed that individuals at the highest genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, particularly carriers of the APOE4 gene variant, showed the most significant reduction in dementia risk when adhering closely to this dietary pattern.