Blood metabolomics signature of MIND diet adherence in older adults
In older adults from the French three-city cohort, eight serum metabolites were linked to MIND diet adherence; the resulting score was associated with lower odds of later cognitive decline, but replication was not statistically significant after adjustment. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
MIND diet adherence was the primary outcome, assessed in 344 Bordeaux participants who completed dietary surveys, a 24-hour recall and a food-frequency questionnaire. [1]
Eight metabolites were identified: three linked to higher MIND adherence and five to lower adherence. [1]
The metaboscore was linked to lower odds of cognitive decline, but replication was not statistically significant after multivariable adjustment. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Abstract of a cohort study with two nested case-control samples on cognitive decline
- Population / context
- Adults aged 65 or older from the population-based three-city cohort, free of dementia at baseline, in Bordeaux and Dijon.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 11, 2026
MIND adherence measured in 344 Bordeaux participants
The study asked whether a blood-based panel of metabolites could reflect adherence to the MIND diet, which is described as supporting healthy cognitive aging. Participants were adults aged 65 or older from the population-based three-city cohort, free of dementia at baseline. Adherence to the MIND diet was the primary outcome and was assessed in a subsample of 344 participants from the Bordeaux center, who completed dietary surveys, a 24-hour recall and a food-frequency questionnaire. The researchers measured 155 diet-related serum metabolites.
Supporting source [1]
Eight metabolites split by higher and lower adherence
Using penalized regression, the researchers identified eight metabolites. Three were associated with higher MIND adherence: 3-hydroxyhippuric acid, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid and betaine, described as phenolic acids and an amino acid related to plant foods. Five were associated with lower adherence: 1-methylhistidine from red meat, cyclo(L-leucyl-L-prolyl) from coffee, tartaric acid from wine, and the endogenous myristoyl-carnitine and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. These metabolites were combined into a metabolomics score, the French-MIND metaboscore, reflecting the overall MIND biological fingerprint.
Supporting source [1]
Cognitive decline link not significant after adjustment
The secondary outcome was cognitive decline status, coded as accelerated versus null or minimal decline, assessed with repeated cognitive measures over up to 12 years in two case-control samples on cognitive decline nested within the Bordeaux and Dijon centers (n = 838). The metaboscore was reconstructed and linked to the odds of cognitive decline. It was linked to lower odds of cognitive decline, but replication was not statistically significant after multivariable adjustment. The authors conclude the signature may help screen older adults at risk of poor brain nutrition and could support personalized dietary prevention strategies.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
This is an abstract; the full text was not reviewed. Adherence was assessed only in the 344-participant Bordeaux subsample, while cognitive decline came from two nested case-control samples (n = 838). The cognitive-decline association did not replicate significantly after multivariable adjustment. Associations are not causal, and the screening and prevention uses are proposed possibilities, not validated tools.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Neuffer J, González-Domínguez R, Lefèvre-Arbogast S, Low DY, Tor-Roca A, Helmer C, Preez AD, de Lucia C, Ruigrok SR, Altendorfer B, Aigner L, Lucassen PJ, Korosi A, Thuret S, Manach C, Pallàs M, Sánchez-Pla A, Andres-Lacueva C, Urpi-Sarda M, Samieri C. · europepmc.org · September 11, 2026