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2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Systematic Reviews

Systematic Review Question

What is the relationship between dietary patterns and risk of dementia/cognitive decline/Alzheimer’s disease?

Conclusion Statement

Limited evidence suggests that a dietary pattern containing an array of vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes and seafood consumed during adulthood is associated with lower risk of age-related cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Although the number of studies available on dietary patterns and neurodegenerative disease risk is expanding, this body of evidence, which is made up of high-quality observational studies, has appeared only in recent years and is rapidly developing. It employs a wide range of methodology in study design, definition and measurement ascertainment of cognitive outcomes and dietary pattern assessment.

2015 DGAC Grade: Limited