The relationship between adherence to a Mediterranean Diet and cognitive impairment among the elderly in Morocco

The Mediterranean Diet has long been regarded as one of the promising strategies for the prevention of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Aim: This study aimed to determine the association between adherence to a MedDiet and the risk of cognitive impairment (CI) among the elderly in Morocco. Due to their complete data, a sample of 172 (56.4% men) from 237 subjects were included in our study. Cognitive functions were assessed by the MMSE test (Mini-Mental State Examination). Adherence to a MedDiet was assessed using a validated questionnaire based on weekly consumption of the seven main MedDiet foods: non-refined cereals, potatoes, fruits (whole or in juice), vegetables (cooked or as salad), legumes, fish, olive oil, and three foods consumed less frequently in a MedDiet: red meats, poultry, and full-fat dairy products. A binary logistic regression was performed, with cognitive function as the dependent variable MedDiet adherence score as well as the aliment consumption frequency associated with CI in the bivariate analysis as an independent variable. The binary logistic regression adjusted for confounding variables revealed that adherence to a MedDiet is not associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment (ORa= 0.928; 95% CI; [0.831-1.037]) (ORa: Adjusted Odd Ratio; 95% CI: 95% of Confidence Interval). However, only Olive Oil consumption was a protective factor against CI (ORa= 0.882; 95% CI; [0.815-0.953]).