Researchers studied whether a popular brain-healthy diet called the MIND diet helps people’s memory and thinking skills the same way for everyone. They looked at data from over 2,300 older adults and found something surprising: the diet seemed to help White participants think better, but the opposite happened for Black participants. The study suggests that the benefits of healthy eating might depend on a person’s race, possibly because of differences in money, access to food, and other life factors. This finding shows that doctors and nutritionists may need to give different dietary advice based on a person’s background.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does eating foods recommended by the MIND diet (a mix of Mediterranean and DASH diets) help older adults have better memory and thinking skills, and does this benefit work the same for all racial groups?
  • Who participated: 2,354 older adults (average age 69 years old, 54% women) from a large national health survey conducted between 2011-2014. The group included both White and Black participants.
  • Key finding: Higher MIND diet scores were linked to better memory and thinking overall, but the benefit differed by race: White participants showed improvement with higher diet scores, while Black participants showed the opposite pattern. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.001), meaning it’s unlikely to be due to chance.
  • What it means for you: If you’re interested in protecting your brain health through diet, the MIND diet may help—but its effectiveness might depend on your racial background and life circumstances. Talk to your doctor about whether this diet is right for you, as a one-size-fits-all approach may not work for everyone.

The Research Details

This study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a large government health study that tracks Americans’ health and eating habits. Researchers looked at information collected between 2011-2014 from older adults. They calculated each person’s MIND diet score based on what they reported eating in a single 24-hour period. They then tested people’s memory and thinking skills using three different tests: remembering words from a list, naming animals quickly, and matching symbols to numbers. The researchers used statistical methods to see if higher diet scores were connected to better thinking skills, and whether this connection was different for White versus Black participants.

This research approach is important because it looks at real-world data from diverse groups of people, rather than just studying one type of person. By comparing results between racial groups, the study reveals that health benefits from diet may not be equal for everyone. This is crucial for public health because it suggests that recommendations need to be tailored to different communities rather than assuming one diet works the same for all people.

Strengths: The study included a large, diverse sample of over 2,300 people and used standardized tests to measure thinking skills. Weaknesses: This was a snapshot study (cross-sectional), meaning researchers only looked at one point in time, so they cannot prove the diet caused the differences—only that they were associated. The diet was measured from just one day of eating, which may not reflect someone’s typical eating habits. The study cannot explain why the diet affected different racial groups differently, only that it did.

What the Results Show

Overall, people who scored higher on the MIND diet showed better memory and thinking skills. For every point increase in the MIND diet score, memory improved slightly, and overall thinking ability also improved slightly. However, when researchers looked at White and Black participants separately, they found very different patterns. White participants who ate more foods recommended by the MIND diet had better overall thinking skills. In contrast, Black participants who scored higher on the MIND diet actually showed worse overall thinking skills. This surprising difference suggests that the diet’s benefits are not the same across all groups. The researchers also found that White and Black participants had different eating patterns and different levels of income and education, which may help explain why the diet worked differently for each group.

The study found that the MIND diet score was generally low across the entire group (median score of 4.5 out of 15), suggesting that most older adults in the survey weren’t following the diet very closely. Black and White participants differed in which specific foods they ate and in their socioeconomic status (income and education level). These differences in lifestyle and resources may play a role in how effective the diet is for each group.

Previous research has shown that the MIND diet is good for brain health in general populations. However, this is one of the first studies to look at whether the benefits are the same for different racial groups. The finding that benefits differ by race aligns with growing research showing that health recommendations often work differently for different communities, partly due to differences in access to healthy foods, healthcare, and other social factors.

The study has several important limitations. First, it only measured what people ate on one day, which may not represent their usual eating habits. Second, it’s a snapshot in time, so researchers cannot prove that the diet caused the thinking differences—only that they were connected. Third, the study cannot explain why the diet affected different racial groups differently. Fourth, the reasons for the differences (such as food availability, cultural food preferences, or other health factors) were not fully explored. Finally, the study cannot determine if other unmeasured factors might explain the racial differences observed.

The Bottom Line

The MIND diet appears to support brain health, particularly for White older adults (moderate confidence based on this study). However, the findings suggest that Black individuals may need different dietary approaches or that the standard MIND diet recommendations may need adjustment for different communities. Before making major dietary changes, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian who understands your individual health needs and background. Do not assume that a diet that works for one group will automatically work the same way for you.

Older adults interested in protecting their brain health should pay attention to this research. Healthcare providers and nutritionists should especially care about these findings, as they suggest that dietary recommendations need to be personalized based on a person’s race and life circumstances. Policymakers should consider these findings when developing public health nutrition guidelines. People should be cautious about assuming that general diet recommendations apply equally to all communities.

Brain health benefits from diet changes typically take weeks to months to become noticeable. However, this study only looked at one point in time, so it cannot tell us how long it takes to see improvements. Long-term dietary changes (months to years) are likely needed to see meaningful effects on memory and thinking skills.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your MIND diet score weekly by logging your intake of the 15 food groups (leafy greens, berries, nuts, fish, beans, whole grains, olive oil, wine, poultry, and others). Note your score alongside simple memory tests (like recalling a list of 10 words) to see if patterns emerge over time.
  • Start by adding one MIND diet food group per week to your meals. For example, week one: add leafy greens to lunch. Week two: add berries to breakfast. Track which foods you enjoy and which ones fit your budget and cultural food preferences. Work with the app to find versions of recommended foods that match your tastes and lifestyle.
  • Use the app to track your MIND diet score monthly and note any changes in how you feel mentally (focus, memory, energy). If you’re part of a community where the standard MIND diet hasn’t shown benefits, work with a dietitian to customize the diet to your specific needs. Monitor not just diet, but also other factors like sleep, exercise, and stress, as these also affect brain health.

This study is observational and cannot prove that diet changes will improve your thinking or memory. The findings suggest that diet may affect different racial groups differently, but more research is needed to understand why. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications, consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work the same way for another. If you’re concerned about memory loss or thinking problems, seek evaluation from a healthcare professional.