Traditional Japanese Diet and Brain Health: Insights from Longitudinal Research

Aging, Brain Shrinkage, and Cognitive Decline
As people age, brain atrophy becomes an inevitable phenomenon, often leading to cognitive decline and, in severe cases, dementia. Recognizing this, the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology in Japan conducted a longitudinal aging epidemiology study to explore the impact of dietary patterns on brain health. The findings revealed that women adhering to a traditional Japanese diet experienced less brain shrinkage compared to those following Western dietary habits, showcasing the protective potential of diet in maintaining cognitive health.

Study Design and Methodology
The study observed 1,636 participants aged 40.3 to 89.2 years over two years, including 815 men and 821 women. Participants recorded their dietary intake over three consecutive days — two weekdays and one weekend — detailing food and beverage weights using kitchen scales and photographing meals before and after consumption. Professional nutritionists analyzed these records for accuracy.

Brain volume measurements were conducted using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), focusing on gray and white matter changes in regions such as the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes. Participants were categorized by dietary…