Carleton Undergraduate Journal of Science · Oct 22, 2026
Mediterranean Diet Adherence Reduces Alzheimer's Disease Risk Through Neuroinflammation Attenuation and Hippocampal Volume Preservation
By Goulding B
Following the Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in aging adults by attenuating neuroinflammation and preserving hippocampal volume. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease marked by the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques, neurofibrillary tau tangles, and neuroinflammation, all of which contribute to hippocampal atrophy and cognitive decline. Evidence from neuroimaging studies indicates that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a 18% reduction in cognitive decline, a 30% reduction in Alzheimer’s disease risk, improved white matter structural integrity, and greater brain connectivity. The mechanisms underlying this neuroprotection include the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines by polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids, reduced microglial hyperactivation through inhibition of amyloid-beta aggregation, upregulation of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and decreased cerebrovascular dysfunction. However, some cross-sectional studies have found no significant correlation between a Mediterranean diet and cognitive functioning, though most studies have recognized its neuroprotective effectas. Adults aged 60 and older with cognitive decline should adhere to the Mediterranean diet for at least 24 months as evidence suggests it reduces neuroinflammatory markers, slows hippocampal atrophy, and decreases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.