Cited by 235Nutritional Studies and DietDementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchPhytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities

Plant-Based Dietary Patterns, Plant Foods, and Age-Related Cognitive Decline

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Rajaram, Sujatha, Jones, Julie, Lee, Grace J·2019·Advances in Nutrition

Abstract

The aging population is expanding, as is the prevalence of age-related cognitive decline (ARCD). Of the several risk factors that predict the onset and progression of ARCD, 2 important modifiable risk factors are diet and physical activity. Dietary patterns that emphasize plant foods can exert neuroprotective effects. In this comprehensive review, we examine studies in humans of plant-based dietary patterns and polyphenol-rich plant foods and their role in either preventing ARCD and/or improving cognitive function. As yet, there is no direct evidence to support the benefits of a vegetarian diet in preventing cognitive decline. However, there is emerging evidence for brain-health-promoting effects of several plant foods rich in polyphenols, anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, and plant-based dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet that include a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. The bioactive compounds present in these dietary patterns include antioxidant vitamins, polyphenols, other phytochemicals, and unsaturated fatty acids. In animal models these nutrients and non-nutrients have been shown to enhance neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal survival by reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. In this review, we summarize the mounting evidence in favor of plant-centered dietary patterns, inclusive of polyphenol-rich foods for cognitive well-being. Randomized clinical trials support the role of plant foods (citrus fruits, grapes, berries, cocoa, nuts, green tea, and coffee) in improving specific domains of cognition, most notably frontal executive function. We also identify knowledge gaps and recommend future studies to identify whether plant-exclusive diets have an added cognitive advantage compared with plant-centered diets with fish and/or small amounts of animal foods.

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Authors
Rajaram, S., Jones, J., & Lee, G. J.
Affiliations
Loma Linda University (US)
Corresponding author
Rajaram, Sujatha
Venue
Advances in Nutrition
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-11
Volume
10
Issue
Suppl_4
Pages
S422-S436
ISSN
  • 2156-5376 (ISSN-L)
  • 2161-8313
OpenAlex
W2987624708
Cited by
235
References
133
Citations by year
2026: 24 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 44 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 59 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2
FWCI
21.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Advances in Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
Keywords
plant-based diet, plant-based foods, age-related cognitive decline, polyphenols, Mediterranean diet, neuroprotection, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, executive function, cognitive aging, dietary habits, phytochemicals, unsaturated fatty acids, vegetarian diet, citrus fruit, berries, Theobroma cacao, nuts, green tea, coffee
MeSH terms
Animals, Antioxidants, Cognition, Feeding Behavior, Humans, Plants, Diet, Vegetarian, Neuroprotective Agents, Diet, Mediterranean, Neurogenesis, Executive Function, Polyphenols, Cognitive Dysfunction

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