Medical researchers have identified a strong correlation between the late onset of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and following the MIND and Mediterranean diets. A new study based on the aforementioned findings links Parkinson’s disease and brain health. Rather shifting research perspectives of the neuroprotective impact of MIND diet to such diseases as dementia and Alzheimers.

MIND diet blends aspects of Dietary Approaches to stopping Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean diet. Patients with Parkinson’s disease have high chances of later age of onset where their dietary patterns are aligned to the Mediterranean-type diet. Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswel, who is part of the research team, said the approach showed a difference of up to 8 years in men and 17 years in women. Traditionally and over the past years, there haven’t been proper medications for delaying or prevention Parkinson’s disease.

The new research has set fresh optimism for an approach that could potentially delay the onset of Parkinson’s disease through nutrition diets.

Sex Differences in Adherence to MIND and Mediterranean Diets

The findings were established across 176 participants by observing their adherence to both types of diets. However, the researchers subjected the participants to low meat intake and focused more on the age of PD onset as well as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. They observed adherence to the above approach resulted in late PD onset in men and women of up to 8.4 and 17.4 years. The observations further established the diet had more impact on Women’s health. While on the other hand, the Mediterranean has more impact on men. These two diets only share slight differences. However, they are shedding light on the effect of micronutrients on optimal brain functions.

Studying the patterns between-sex differences in the effect of diet adherence remained of importance to the research teams.

Mainly because they approximated, over 60% of Parkinson’s disease patients are men. Scientists will understand how both diets cause sex differences in the onset of PD.

As a result, these findings could establish further developments on other research questions on the study of PD. The study also brings home what medics believe is a connection between the brain and gut for Parkinson’s disease.