A Mediterranean Diet with Fresh, Lean Pork Improves Processing Speed and Mood: Cognitive Findings from the MedPork Randomised Controlled Trial.

Alexandra T Wade, Courtney R Davis, Kathryn A Dyer, Jonathan M Hodgson, Richard J Woodman, Hannah A D Keage, Karen J Murphy

Journal: Nutrients 2020;11(7):1521

PMID: 31277446

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Plain Language Summary

Dementia is characterised by severe cognitive impairment and reduced quality of life. Observational studies have demonstrated that populations following a traditional Mediterranean diet experience less cognitive decline and a lowered risk of dementia. The aim of this study was to examine a Mediterranean diet modified to include 2–3 fresh servings of pork each week across measures of cognitive function and well-being. The study is a 24-week parallel randomised controlled crossover design to compare a Mediterranean diet with 2-3 weekly servings of fresh, lean pork (MedPork) and a low-fat control diet (LF). It recruited adults aged 45–80 years due to their increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Results indicate that compared with the LF control diet, the MedPork intervention led to higher performance in the cognitive domain of processing speed and higher scores for the SF-36 subscale emotional role functioning. No significant differences were observed for other domains of cognitive function, nor for additional measures of psychological well-being. Authors conclude that the MedPork intervention can improve processing speed and mood in a population at risk of cardiovascular disease and therefore dementia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The Mediterranean diet may be capable of improving cognitive function. However, the red meat restrictions of the diet could impact long-term adherence in Western populations. The current study therefore examined the cognitive effects of a Mediterranean diet with additional red meat.

METHODS

A 24-week parallel crossover design compared a Mediterranean diet with 2-3 weekly servings of fresh, lean pork (MedPork) and a low-fat (LF) control diet. Thirty-five participants aged between 45 and 80 years and at risk of cardiovascular disease followed each intervention for 8 weeks, separated by an 8-week washout period. Cognitive function was assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Psychological well-being was measured through the SF-36 Health Survey and mood was measured using the Profile of Mood States (POMS).

RESULTS

During the MedPork intervention, participants consumed an average of 3 weekly servings of fresh pork. Compared to LF, the MedPork intervention led to higher processing speed performance ( = 0.01) and emotional role functioning ( = 0.03). No other significant differences were observed between diets.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that a Mediterranean diet inclusive of fresh, lean pork can be adhered to by an older non-Mediterranean population while leading to positive cognitive outcomes.

Address: Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, 5001 Adelaide, Australia. [email protected].; Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, 5001 Adelaide, Australia.; School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia.; Medical School, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6000, Australia.; Flinders Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, 5042 Adelaide, Australia.; Cognitive Ageing and Impairment Neurosciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, 5005 Adelaide, Australia.; School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, 5005 Adelaide, Australia.

DOI: 10.3390/nu11071521

Patient Centred Factor

Mediators: Cognitive function

Clinical Imbalances

Neurological Immune and inflammation

Laboratory Testing

Blood

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors

Diet Psychological

Jadad Score

Allocation Concealment

Yes

Nutrition Evidence Keywords

Diabetes BMI Obesity Physical activity Cholesterol Hypertension Body mass index Polyunsaturated fatty acids Mediterranean diet Cardiovascular disease Omega-3 fatty acids Monounsaturated fatty acids Low-fat

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https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?term=AREA%5BRefe...

MeSH Terms: Affect, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cognition, Cross-Over Studies, Diet, Fat-Restricted, Diet, Healthy, Diet, Mediterranean, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Nutritive Value, Pork Meat, Recommended Dietary Allowances, Serving Size, South Australia, Time Factors