Protein-enriched Mediterranean diet trial reports modest cognitive score differences

A six-month trial in 105 older adults at risk of undernutrition and cognitive decline found improved nutritional status and small neurocognitive-score differences in diet-counseling groups versus a leaflet control.

By Nootropik News Editorial Team News/source date: 14 August 2026 Published: 5 October 2026 · 02:57 (UTC+3) Updated: 5 October 2026 · 02:57 (UTC+3)

On this page

Study design

The PROMED-EX randomized trial enrolled 105 community-dwelling older adults at risk of undernutrition and cognitive decline (mean age 67.7). Participants received protein-enriched Mediterranean-diet counseling plus home exercise, counseling alone, or a healthy-eating leaflet. Outcomes were assessed after six months.

Findings

Compared with control, Mini Nutritional Assessment scores improved by 2.7 points with counseling and 2.9 with counseling plus exercise. Neurocognitive test-battery z-scores differed by 0.3 and 0.2, respectively. Exercise adherence was low, although additional physical-performance and quality-of-life benefits were observed in the exercise arm. The study does not identify which dietary elements explain the cognitive differences.

Limitations and disclosures

The participants were selected for nutrition and cognitive risk, and cognitive outcomes were secondary. Longer follow-up is needed to learn whether score differences persist. Conflict disclosures: One author was founder and CEO of the ExWell commercial program; another was an AJCN associate editor and did not take part in the manuscript’s journal evaluation. Other authors reported no conflicts. Other authors reported no conflicts.

This sourced news summary and translation were prepared with AI assistance. Source links, the news date and research limitations are disclosed; this is not a claim of independent medical expert review. News production method.

Sources

Effect of a PROtein-enriched MEDiterranean diet and EXercise (PROMED-EX) on nutritional status and cognitive performance in older adults at risk of undernutrition and cognitive decline: the PROMED-EX randomized controlled trial — The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · 14 August 2026

Research news is not medical advice or a recommendation to use a substance. Read findings in the context of the study design, participants and limitations. Editorial standards.

← All news

Mood changes and intrusive thoughts were linked to remembering intended actions

A study tested 120 younger and older adults; 117 entered prospective-memory analyses. Mood changes and intrusive thoughts were associated with remembering intended actions, but the results do not establish a causal mechanism or a treatment for memory problems.

News/source date: 1 October 20261 min read

Research

Brain connectivity patterns differed between Alzheimer’s pathology and aging

MRI analyses in BioFINDER-2 and ADNI linked Alzheimer’s pathology and age to different whole-cortex connectivity gradients. The cohort findings describe associations and do not establish a diagnostic test or causal mechanism.

News/source date: 1 October 20261 min read

Research

Small blackcurrant blend trial finds selective attention changes in older adults

A crossover trial analyzed 26 older adults after four-week periods of a blackcurrant, L-theanine and pine-bark blend or placebo. Attention-task false alarms declined, but memory and fatigue findings were not significant after multiple-testing correction; the blend cannot isolate an ingredient.

News/source date: 30 September 20261 min read