Effective dietary recommendations could help to prevent age-related cognitive decline

Solitary eating habits in healthy older adults link brain atrophy to future cognitive decline

“…Furthermore, the combined effect of eating alone and poor nutritional status on cognitive decline, as observed by Li et al 17 , underscores the importance of considering both social and nutritional factors in interventions targeting cognitive health. Similar to previous studies 4,13,17 , our study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses social factors, nutrition, and dietary habits to promote brain health and prevent cognitive decline in older adults 18,19 . Furthermore, various factors, such as socioeconomic status, physical activity levels, and social engagement beyond mealtimes, may also in uence brain health and cognitive function.…”

“…Social isolation during mealtimes may lead to decreased motivation to prepare nutritious meals, resulting in a reliance on convenience foods that are often high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and calories. These dietary patterns may contribute to neuroin ammation, oxidative stress, and impaired synaptic plasticity, which are known risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia 4,13 . Taken together, our ndings suggest that eating alone may contribute to unhealthy dietary habits, which in turn may increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.…”

“…This trend has signi cant implications for proper healthcare planning, particularly for the elderly population 3 . While there is currently no curative therapy for dementia, lifestyle factors such as diet and social engagement have emerged as potential targets for prevention 4 .…”