Metabolomic signatures reveal an association between healthy dietary patterns and brain aging.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The optimal dietary pattern of brain age and related diseases remains unclear, and the relationship between dietary metabolomic signature and these conditions is still poorly understood.

Design, setting, and participants

This cohort study included 13,691 participants from the UK Biobank (53.67% female, mean age 54.9 ± 7.5 years), we investigated the relationship between five healthy dietary patterns and brain age gap (BAG). Metabolomic signatures were constructed using a LASSO model, and multivariable linear regression was applied to examine the relationship between metabolomic signatures and brain age.

Results

Higher AHEI-2010 and DASH scores were associated with reduced BAG. Specifically, higher DASH scores reduced BAG in obese populations. Metabolomic signatures accounted for 30.43% and 35.47% of the associations between dietary patterns and BAG, respectively, and were themselves significantly correlated with BAG.

Conclusion

AHEI-2010/DASH diets and plasma metabolites are associated with brain aging, offering a metabolomic basis for personalized dietary interventions.

SUBMITTER: Hu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12934320 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature