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What Is the MIND Diet?
The MIND diet — Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay — is a dietary pattern specifically designed to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline, while also maintaining cardiovascular benefits....
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Dr. Maria Santos
Nutritionist
8 min read
|May 2, 2026Medically reviewed by Dr. Maria Santos · Editorial Policy
The MIND diet — Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay — is a dietary pattern specifically designed to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline, while also maintaining cardiovascular benefits. It combines elements of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet, with particular emphasis on foods shown in research to most specifically benefit brain health. The MIND diet is gaining attention among both neurologists and cardiologists because its benefits extend across the brain-heart connection.
WHAT IS THE MIND DIET?
Developed by nutritional epidemiologist Martha Clare Morris at Rush University Medical Center in 2015, the MIND diet is built around 10 "brain-healthy" food groups to emphasize and 5 "unhealthy" food groups to limit. Unlike the Mediterranean and DASH diets, which broadly emphasize overall dietary patterns, the MIND diet was specifically calibrated using evidence on individual foods' associations with cognitive health.
THE 10 BRAIN-HEALTHY FOOD GROUPS
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Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Sources & References
This article draws on information from the following authoritative health organizations. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical advice.