A new study examines whether the MIND diet can be scaled up to combat obesity.

A new study examines whether the MIND diet can be scaled up to combat obesity.

Researchers in Sweden are testing whether a brain-healthy MIND diet can realistically be adopted by adults with obesity, laying the groundwork for future studies linking nutrition, gut health and psychological well-being.

In a study protocol recently published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition The researchers described an ongoing investigation into whether the Mediterranean DASH intervention to delay neurodegenerative diseases (MIND diet) is practical, acceptable, and implementable for adults with obesity.

The results of this study will provide feasibility data and initial evidence to inform future studies examining links between diet, the Microbiome the gut, mental health and obesity, thereby supporting strategies to promote physical and psychological wellbeing.

Links between obesity, mental health and nutrition

Mental health disorders and obesity often co-occur and contribute significantly to individual suffering and public health costs. The exact links between these conditions are unclear, but increasing evidence suggests that diet plays an essential role in both weight control and emotional well-being.

In Sweden, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased steadily over the last two decades, particularly among young adults. More than half of Swedish adults are now overweight, with significant differences by gender, country of birth and education level. These trends highlight the need for preventative strategies that address both physical and mental health.

Weight loss through diet has been linked to improved mood in obese people, but psychological benefits may also arise from interactions between diet and microbiota. Dietary habits influence the gut microbiome, which is involved in metabolic regulation and stress and mood pathways.

Rationale and components of the MIND diet

The Mediterranean DASH Intervention to Delay Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND Diet) prioritizes foods rich in antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats that support cognitive and gut health. Instead of completely combining the Mediterranean and DASH diets, the MIND diet specifically highlights components that are considered beneficial for brain and metabolic health. If proven practical and acceptable, this pattern could help people lose weight and promote psychological well-being in Sweden.

Study structure and participant eligibility

The MIND-GUT study is a randomized clinical trial with two groups: an intervention group receiving the MIND diet and a control group receiving standard healthy dietary advice. A total of 126 adults aged 25 to 50 years with obesity will be recruited from general practices and the community in the Västra Götaland region of Sweden. The sample size allows for robust estimates of feasibility, taking expected dropouts into account.

Participants must have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 kg/m², have access to the internet and be willing to complete all procedures. If recruitment is difficult, the BMI limit could be lowered to 27 kg/m². Exclusion criteria are conditions or treatments that could interfere with the dietary change, such as taking weight loss medications or certain health problems. Ethical approval was obtained and informed consent procedures emphasized privacy and autonomy.

Implementation of the intervention and data collection

At the start of the study and after 12 weeks, trained staff will collect physical measurements including weight, height, body composition, blood pressure, and waist and hip circumference. Participants complete online questionnaires on demographic data, lifestyle behavior, psychosocial well-being, eating behavior, intestinal symptoms and diet.

Mental health outcomes are collected using validated self-report instruments that measure anxiety, depressive symptoms and perceived stress rather than clinical diagnoses. Adherence to the diet will be measured using a simplified food list that focuses on key components of the MIND diet at baseline, week 6, and 12 weeks.

Intervention participants will receive a structured MIND diet eating plan that emphasizes leafy green vegetables, berries, olive oil, whole grains, legumes, nuts, poultry, and fish. The daily energy intake is limited to 2,300 kcal for men and 1,900 kcal for women. Participants in the control group will receive general nutritional advice consistent with Swedish guidelines, but without targeted MIND components.

Both groups are encouraged to limit alcohol and avoid soda, and both receive regular reminders, newsletters, and counseling to support participation. After 12 weeks, participants will conduct qualitative interviews to discuss acceptability, barriers and suggestions for improvement.

Microbiome sampling and study results

Participants will provide stool samples at baseline, week 6, and week 12 to capture microbiome dynamics. Samples are stored at home and may be rescheduled if there has been a recent illness, fever, diarrhea, or antibiotic use that could affect the results. The laboratory's processes are randomized to reduce batch effects.

Primary outcomes include adherence, retention and acceptability. Secondary outcomes include changes in the gut microbiome, anxiety, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, weight, fat mass, waist-to-hip ratio, and BMI. The analyzes are exploratory and are intended to inform future effectiveness studies.

Public health relevance and future directions

This protocol evaluates whether an intervention based on the MIND diet can be realistically implemented in adults with obesity, which is a necessary step before interventions to promote both physical and mental health can be implemented on a larger scale.

If feasible, this approach could inform personalized nutritional strategies and public health policies to promote brain-healthy diets. By integrating diet, emotional well-being and the microbiome, the study aims to provide foundational evidence for future large-scale studies that address multiple dimensions of health-related obesity.

Sources: