After a stroke, people have a much higher chance of developing memory problems and dementia. Scientists are testing whether a special diet called the MIND diet can help protect the brain and improve thinking skills in stroke survivors. This large study will follow people over 55 years old for up to 3 years, comparing those who get help from nutritionists to follow the MIND diet with those who receive standard stroke care. The MIND diet focuses on brain-healthy foods like vegetables, berries, nuts, and fish while limiting unhealthy foods. If successful, this research could change how doctors help stroke patients recover and prevent future brain problems.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating a brain-healthy diet (called the MIND diet) can prevent memory loss and thinking problems in people who have had a stroke
  • Who participated: Adults aged 55 and older who have recently had a stroke. Some get help from nutritionists to follow the MIND diet, while others receive standard stroke recovery care
  • Key finding: This is a study protocol paper, meaning the research is still ongoing. The study is designed to measure whether the MIND diet helps protect thinking and memory skills for up to 3 years after stroke
  • What it means for you: If you’ve had a stroke or know someone who has, this research may eventually show that eating certain foods can help prevent memory problems. However, results won’t be available until the study is complete

The Research Details

This is a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of medical research. Researchers randomly assigned stroke survivors into two groups: one group received personalized help from nutritionists to follow the MIND diet along with standard stroke care, while the other group received standard stroke care with general health education. By randomly assigning people, researchers can better determine if the diet itself makes a difference, rather than other factors.

Participants were tracked for 24 to 36 months (2-3 years) with regular check-ins. Researchers measured many things including weight, thinking and memory abilities, blood tests, and brain scans. This long-term approach helps show whether diet changes have lasting effects on brain health after stroke.

The MIND diet is specifically designed to support brain health. It emphasizes foods like leafy greens, berries, nuts, fish, and whole grains while limiting red meat, butter, cheese, and sugary foods. This combination targets both heart and brain health, which is important since stroke affects blood vessels in the brain.

This research approach is important because it directly tests whether changing diet can prevent serious brain problems after stroke. Many studies show diet affects brain health, but few have tested this specifically in stroke survivors over a long period. By using nutritionist support, the study tests whether professional guidance helps people stick to healthy eating patterns

This is a well-designed study registered with clinical trial databases before it started, which increases reliability. The study includes multiple ways to measure brain health (thinking tests, blood markers, and brain scans) rather than relying on just one measure. However, this is a protocol paper describing the study plan, not the actual results, so we don’t yet know if the intervention works

What the Results Show

This paper describes the study plan rather than final results. The NOURISH trial is currently underway, testing whether the MIND diet helps prevent cognitive decline (memory and thinking problems) in stroke survivors. The study is measuring changes in thinking and memory abilities over 2-3 years using standardized tests that doctors use to detect early memory problems.

The research team is also collecting blood samples and brain imaging to understand how diet might protect the brain at a biological level. This multi-layered approach will help explain not just whether the diet works, but how it works in the brain.

Participants in the intervention group receive ongoing support from credentialed nutritionists who help them learn and maintain the MIND diet, while the comparison group receives standard stroke recovery care. This design helps determine whether professional nutrition support makes a real difference in outcomes.

The study is also measuring other important outcomes including physical recovery after stroke, quality of life, and changes in body weight and measurements. Researchers are collecting information about blood markers that indicate brain health and inflammation. Brain imaging scans in a subset of participants will show whether the diet affects brain structure and function. These additional measurements help paint a complete picture of how diet affects overall recovery after stroke

Previous research shows that the MIND diet helps protect thinking and memory in older adults without stroke history. This study extends that research to stroke survivors, who have much higher risk of memory problems. Most stroke recovery programs focus on physical therapy and medication, but don’t emphasize nutrition for brain protection. This trial fills an important gap by testing whether nutrition can be a key part of stroke recovery

As a protocol paper, this doesn’t yet show actual results. The study requires long-term participation (2-3 years), which means some people may drop out before completion. The MIND diet requires significant lifestyle changes, which can be challenging for some people. Results may apply best to older adults and may not be the same for younger stroke survivors. The study focuses on one type of stroke (ischemic stroke) and may not apply to other stroke types

The Bottom Line

Wait for final results from this study before making major dietary changes based on this research alone. However, the MIND diet is already recommended by many health organizations for general brain and heart health, so following it is unlikely to cause harm. If you’ve had a stroke, discuss any dietary changes with your doctor or a registered dietitian who understands your specific health needs. (Confidence: Moderate - based on study design, but results not yet available)

This research is most relevant for people over 55 who have had a stroke and want to prevent memory problems. It’s also important for family members and caregivers who support stroke survivors. Healthcare providers who treat stroke patients should follow this research for potential updates to recovery guidelines. Younger stroke survivors may eventually benefit if results show the diet helps across age groups

The study is expected to continue through 2025-2026. Final results will likely be published in 2026-2027. If the diet is effective, benefits for thinking and memory would likely appear gradually over months, not immediately

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly servings of MIND diet foods (leafy greens, berries, nuts, fish, whole grains) and monitor simple memory checks like recalling a short list of words daily to establish a baseline before and after dietary changes
  • Start by adding one MIND diet food group per week: week 1 add leafy greens to meals, week 2 add berries as snacks, week 3 add nuts, continuing until all food groups are incorporated. Use the app to log meals and get reminders for nutritionist appointments if available
  • Monthly check-ins tracking: (1) adherence to MIND diet components, (2) simple cognitive tasks like word recall or puzzle completion, (3) energy levels and mood, (4) any changes in memory or thinking noticed by family members. Share results with healthcare provider at regular appointments

This article describes a research study protocol, not final results. The NOURISH trial is still ongoing, and conclusions about the MIND diet’s effectiveness in stroke recovery cannot be drawn until the study is complete. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have had a stroke or are concerned about memory problems, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes. Individual results may vary based on overall health, medications, and other factors. Always discuss nutrition changes with your healthcare team, especially if you take blood thinners or have other medical conditions.