Mediterranean Diet Improves Brain Health in Hispanic Adults: New Study

Researchers have found that closely following a Mediterranean diet can enhance brain health in Hispanic adults, independent of cardiovascular factors, according to a new study.

A new study has revealed that closely following a Mediterranean diet significantly enhances brain health in Hispanic/Latino adults in the United States, providing cognitive benefits that extend beyond cardiovascular health.

The preliminary findings, to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2025 in Los Angeles, explored the brain health of nearly 2,800 Hispanic/Latino adults aged 18-74.

The Mediterranean diet, renowned for its heart health benefits, includes high consumption of fruits, vegetables, beans, olive oil and moderate intake of fish and poultry.

Lead author Gabriela Trifan, an assistant professor of neurology at the University of Illinois in Chicago, emphasized that the benefits of the diet on brain health are not solely linked to cardiovascular risk factors.

“We have observed that cardiovascular health directly impacts brain structures; the effect of the Mediterranean diet on communication between regions of the brain remains somewhat independent of cardiovascular health,” Trifan said in a news release. “Even when considering age and cardiovascular health in people who ate a Mediterranean diet, the brain demonstrated improved organization of the fibers connecting different brain regions and enhanced communication, known as white matter integrity.”

The study participants, who were part of a large, multisite, population-based longitudinal study, had their adherence to the Mediterranean diet assessed through dietary recalls.

The researchers discovered that for each point increase in the Mediterranean diet adherence score, brain integrity improved, showcasing better organization and communication within the brain and less evidence of structural damage.

“This suggests that even small improvements in diet improved brain integrity,” Trifan added.

She noted that the diet might improve white matter integrity by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, maintaining blood vessel function and stabilizing blood sugar levels.

“This is the first large study focused solely on Hispanics/Latinos – who are projected to be the fastest-growing ethnic group in the U.S.,” added Trifan.

Philip B. Gorelick, a professor of neurology at Northwestern University, who was not involved in the study, highlighted its importance.

“These results matter because many health care professionals may not know about the eating habits of Hispanic/Latino adults, who consume many foods from the Mediterranean diet. The findings support the American Heart Association’s advice to follow this diet as one of the dietary plans that may help prevent strokes and potentially avoid cognitive issues,” Gorelick said in the news release.

The findings from the study point to the Mediterranean diet’s potential to preserve brain structure and function in Hispanic/Latino adults, with a particular focus on the importance of white matter, which is crucial for effective brain communication.

While this study is preliminary and its findings are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, it aligns with existing research that underscores the Mediterranean diet’s benefits for various aspects of health.

Given these promising results, future research will likely delve deeper into the mechanisms behind the diet’s protective effects on the brain, aiming to offer more insights and dietary recommendations tailored to specific populations.