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The MIND diet, cognitive function, and well-being among healthy adults at midlife: a randomised feasibility trial
Deirdre Timlin, Jacqueline M. McCormack, Maeve A Kerr, Laura Keaver, Ellen E. A. Simpson. BMC Nutrition, 2025-03-25
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
A repeated measures ANOVA showed that in comparison to the control group, both intervention groups significantly improved mood, quality of life, MIND diet score and all COM-B components at follow-up (p < 0.05). No significant differences or interactions in cognitive function were found between groups. There are only two RCT's that test the effectiveness of the MIND diet on cognitive function, and this is the first RCT to assess the usefulness of the COM-B in increasing adherence to the MIND diet. Future interventions with longer duration are needed to establish an association with MIND diet and cognitive function in adults at midlife. This study recommends using less Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) with a focus on self-monitoring, goal setting and education on diet as an effective strategy for promoting adherence to the MIND diet. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Record NCT04654936, May 2019.
Key findings
- A repeated measures ANOVA showed that in comparison to the control group, both intervention groups significantly improved mood, quality of life, MIND diet score and all COM-B components at follow-up (p < 0.05).
- No significant differences or interactions in cognitive function were found between groups.
- There are only two RCT's that test the effectiveness of the MIND diet on cognitive function, and this is the first RCT to assess the usefulness of the COM-B in increasing adherence to the MIND diet.
- Future interventions with longer duration are needed to establish an association with MIND diet and cognitive function in adults at midlife.
- This study recommends using less Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) with a focus on self-monitoring, goal setting and education on diet as an effective strategy for promoting adherence to the MIND diet.
Why it matters
In this feasibility trial of healthy midlife adults, the MIND diet groups improved mood, quality of life, and diet scores, but there were no significant differences in cognitive function between groups. The authors state that longer interventions are needed to test any link between the MIND diet and cognitive function.
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Study details
- Participants15
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 48/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design and effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (BMC Nutrition) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | BMC Nutrition: journal h-index 53 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 15 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 1 / 2 | Randomised (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 12 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 4.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 10.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 12 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Ellen E. A. Simpson: h-index 22 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | University of Ulster: institution h-index 418 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 3 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40134050) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 48 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Timlin, D., McCormack, J. M., Kerr, M. A., Keaver, L., & Simpson, E. E. A. (2025). The MIND diet, cognitive function, and well-being among healthy adults at midlife: a randomised feasibility trial. BMC Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01020-6
Vancouver
Timlin D, McCormack JM, Kerr MA, Keaver L, Simpson EEA. The MIND diet, cognitive function, and well-being among healthy adults at midlife: a randomised feasibility trial. BMC Nutrition. 2025. doi:10.1186/s40795-025-01020-6. PMID: 40134050.
BibTeX
@article{timlin2025-40134050,
author = {Timlin, Deirdre and McCormack, Jacqueline M. and Kerr, Maeve A and Keaver, Laura and Simpson, Ellen E. A.},
title = {{The MIND diet, cognitive function, and well-being among healthy adults at midlife: a randomised feasibility trial}},
journal = {BMC Nutrition},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1186/s40795-025-01020-6},
pmid = {40134050},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01020-6}
}
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