DASH Diet Edges Out Other Diets for Slower Cognitive Decline

A large study of over 159,000 participants found the DASH diet had the strongest and most consistent association with lower cognitive decline risk and better cognitive function with age compared with five other dietary patterns. Vegetables and fish were linked to better outcomes, while red/processed meats, fried potatoes, and sugary beverages were linked to worse outcomes, with the wine result needing cautious interpretation. The findings are observational and do not prove causation, but support the idea that diet quality—especially vascular/metabolic health—may influence brain aging.