The MIND Diet and Physical Activity in Cognitive Ageing: From Mechanisms to Multidomain Trials
- 1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore 768828, Singapore
- 2Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore
Abstract
Preserving cognitive function against the effects of ageing and neurodegenerative disease is the goal of lifestyle-based approaches to brain health. This review examines the evidence for the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, for physical activity covering aerobic, resistance, and mind–body exercise modalities, and for the multidomain programmes in which both are embedded. For each, we consider the mechanistic rationale, the biomarker, neuroimaging, and the observational and interventional evidence. Overall, a substantial body of evidence links both exposures to better cognitive performance; however, uncertainties remain regarding optimal intervention dose, duration, target populations, and whether MIND diet and exercise exert independent or synergistic effects. We further propose that the discordance between cohort and trial findings may reflect baseline neurodegenerative risk, with benefit being hardest to detect in low-risk populations over short follow-up. Few trials have tested the MIND dietary pattern change alongside structured exercise, and none has isolated the contribution of either within a multidomain programme. More strategically designed trials, with clinical endpoints and single domain comparators, are needed to answer these questions.
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BibTeX
@article{lim2026mind,
title = {{The MIND Diet and Physical Activity in Cognitive Ageing: From Mechanisms to Multidomain Trials}},
author = {Yu Liang Lim and Xuanmin Tan and Li Cheng Heng and Chin Yee Cheong},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nu18213579},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3579},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The MIND Diet and Physical Activity in Cognitive Ageing: From Mechanisms to Multidomain Trials
AU - Yu Liang Lim
AU - Xuanmin Tan
AU - Li Cheng Heng
AU - Chin Yee Cheong
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Nutrients
DO - 10.3390/nu18213579
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3579
AB - Preserving cognitive function against the effects of ageing and neurodegenerative disease is the goal of lifestyle-based approaches to brain health. This review examines the evidence for the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, for physical activity covering aerobic, resistance, and mind–body exercise modalities, and for the multidomain programmes in which both are embedded. For each, we consider the mechanistic rationale, the biomarker, neuroimaging, and the observational and interventional evidence. Overall, a substantial body of evidence links both exposures to better cognitive performance; however, uncertainties remain regarding optimal intervention dose, duration, target populations, and whether MIND diet and exercise exert independent or synergistic effects. We further propose that the discordance between cohort and trial findings may reflect baseline neurodegenerative risk, with benefit being hardest to detect in low-risk populations over short follow-up. Few trials have tested the MIND dietary pattern change alongside structured exercise, and none has isolated the contribution of either within a multidomain programme. More strategically designed trials, with clinical endpoints and single domain comparators, are needed to answer these questions.
SN - 2072-6643
ER -