Mediterranean diet may boost brain health by shifting gut bacteria balance

These bacterial changes correlated with better memory and cognitive performance.

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The Mediterranean Diet centers around plant-based foods, healthy fats, moderate fish and dairy intake, and the limitation of red meat.

Emerging research highlights the significant impact of diet on cognitive health, particularly in younger populations. Studies show that the Mediterranean Diet (MeDi) can improve cognitive function, especially when contrasted with the standard Western Diet (WD).

A recent study by Tulane University investigates how the Mediterranean Diet might promote brain health. It suggests that its cognitive benefits may stem from shifts in the gut microbiome, particularly by influencing the balance of gut bacteria.

In this study, researchers fed rats a Mediterranean-style diet rich in olive oil, fish, and fiber for 14 weeks. Compared to rats on a Western diet high in saturated fats, the rats following this diet showed an increase in four beneficial types of gut bacteria and a decrease in five others. These shifts in gut bacteria were closely linked to improved performance on memory and learning tasks, such as navigating mazes.

Interestingly, higher levels of bacteria like ‘Candidatus Saccharimonas’ were associated with enhanced cognitive function, while elevated levels of ‘Bifidobacterium’ were linked to poorer memory outcomes.

Rats on the Mediterranean diet also exhibited better cognitive flexibility—the ability to adjust to new information—and improved working memory compared to the Western diet group. Furthermore, they maintained lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.

This study marks the first investigation into how the Mediterranean diet influences gut microbiota and cognitive function compared to the Western diet. The researchers selected young rats, roughly equivalent to 18-year-old humans, to mimic the dietary effects during a critical developmental phase.

The diets were designed to mirror human eating habits, incorporating ingredients that reflect the complexity of real-world diets. The results highlighted significant benefits from the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) regarding cognitive flexibility, memory, and gut health, offering promising insights into how such a diet may support young adults whose brains and bodies are still maturing.

Corresponding author Dr. Demetrius M. Maraganore, Herbert J. Harvey, Jr. Chair of Neurosciences said, “Our findings suggest that the Mediterranean diet or its biological effects could be harnessed to improve scholastic performance in adolescents, or work performance in young adults. While these findings are based on animal models, they echo human studies linking the Mediterranean diet to improved memory and reduced dementia risk.”

The researchers stress the need for larger human studies to validate these findings and further explore the intricate connection between diet, gut bacteria, and brain function in young people.

Journal Reference:

  1. Rebecca J. Solch-Ottaiano, Elizabeth B. Engler-Chiurazzi et al. Comparison between two divergent diets, Mediterranean and Western, on gut microbiota and cognitive function in young sprague dawley rats. Gut Microbes Reports. DOI: 10.1080/29933935.2024.2439490
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