Plant-Based Diet Study Links Top Scores to 12% Lower Dementia Risk
Updated
Updated · Futura · May 23
Plant-Based Diet Study Links Top Scores to 12% Lower Dementia Risk
1 articles · Updated · Futura · May 23
45,065 adults tracked over a decade showed an 11% lower dementia risk when they improved their diets, while those whose eating grew less healthy faced a 25% higher risk.
The Multiethnic Cohort Study in Hawaii and California found the highest overall plant-based diet scores were tied to 12% lower dementia risk, and a healthful plant-based pattern cut risk by 7%.
An unhealthful plant-based diet centered on refined grains, juices and added sugars was linked to a 6% higher risk of cognitive decline, with refined starches driving much of the increase.
APOE ε4 carriers still showed similar protective benefits from higher-quality plant-based eating, suggesting the pattern held even among people with elevated genetic Alzheimer’s risk.
Because the research was observational and relied on self-reported food questionnaires, it cannot prove causation, though the association remained after accounting for age, exercise and diabetes.
Could your 'healthy' plant-based diet actually increase your dementia risk over time?
For those with the Alzheimer's gene, can simply choosing whole foods truly protect the brain?
As health studies face major cyberattacks, is medical discovery worth the risk to your privacy?
Not All Plant-Based Diets Are Equal: High-Quality Choices Reduce Dementia Risk by 61%—2026 Meta-Analysis
Overview
Recent research published in April 2026 highlights that the quality of plant-based diets is crucial for brain health as we age. While plant-based diets are already known to lower risks of diabetes and high blood pressure, this new study shows that only high-quality plant-based foods—such as whole grains, vegetables, and nuts—are linked to a reduced risk of dementia. In contrast, lower quality plant-based diets, which may include more processed foods, can actually increase dementia risk. This means that simply eating plant-based is not enough; choosing nutrient-rich, minimally processed foods is key to protecting brain function and lowering dementia risk.