Table 1.

MIND diet recommendations and corresponding plant-based nutrients.

MIND Diet Recommendation	Serving Recommendation	Plant-Derived Nutrients	Brief Summary of Benefits of Plant-Based Nutrients, as Described in This Review
Leafy green vegetables	At least 1 serving/day	Vitamin B9, Vitamin K	Vitamin B9: Metabolism of homocysteine Vitamin K: Anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects in the nervous system. Vitamin K is involved in the metabolism of lipids involved in the proliferation of brain cells and neuron myelination.
		Vitamin C	Vitamin C: Decreases oxidative stress, which is associated with the beta amyloid and tau proteins implicated in AD. Vitamin C also promotes the generation of other antioxidants which results in decreased neuroinflammation.
		Vitamin E	Vitamin E: Decreases oxidative stress, which is associated with beta amyloid and tau proteins. Vitamin E prevents degradation of the cell membrane and may have an inhibitory effect on the enzymes that result in neuroinflammation.
All other vegetables	At least 2 servings/day	Beta carotene	Beta carotene: Decreases oxidative stress, which is associated with beta amyloid and tau proteins. Beta-carotene is associated with increased acetylcholine levels, a neurotransmitter that is important in learning and memory.
		Vitamin B6	Vitamin B6: Metabolism of homocysteine, which is detrimental to brain health. B6 may also play a role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and is associated with decreased inflammation.
Berries	At least 2 servings/week	Vitamin C	Vitamin C: Decreases oxidative stress, which is associated with the beta amyloid and tau proteins implicated in AD. Vitamin C also promotes the generation of other antioxidants which results in decreased neuroinflammation.
		Fiber	Fiber: Multiple microbiota-dependent and microbiota-independent mechanisms, including fiber’s modulatory effects on the gut–brain axis, promotion of beneficial gut bacteria, and decreased neuroinflammation by support of the gut lining.
Whole grains	At least 3 servings/week	Fiber	Fiber: Multiple microbiota-dependent and microbiota-independent mechanisms, including fiber’s modulatory effects on the gut–brain axis, promotion of beneficial gut bacteria, and decreased neuroinflammation by support of the gut lining.
		Vitamin B9	Vitamin B9: Metabolism of homocysteine, which is detrimental to brain health.
Beans	3 servings/week	Vitamin B6	Vitamin B6: Metabolism of homocysteine, which is detrimental to brain health. B6 may also play a role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and is associated with decreased inflammation.
		Fiber	Fiber: Multiple microbiota-dependent and microbiota-independent mechanisms, including fiber’s modulatory effects on the gut–brain axis, promotion of beneficial gut bacteria, and decreased neuroinflammation by support of the gut lining.
Nuts	5 servings/week	Fiber	Fiber: Multiple microbiota-dependent and microbiota-independent mechanisms, including fiber’s modulatory effects on the gut–brain axis, promotion of beneficial gut bacteria, and decreased neuroinflammation by support of the gut lining.
		Vitamin E	Vitamin E: Decreases oxidative stress, which is associated with beta amyloid and tau proteins. Vitamin E prevents degradation of the cell membrane and may have an inhibitory effect on the enzymes that result in neuroinflammation.
Olive oil	—	Vitamin E	Vitamin E: Decreases oxidative stress, which is associated with beta amyloid and tau proteins. Vitamin E prevents degradation of the cell membrane and may have an inhibitory effect on the enzymes that result in neuroinflammation.
		Vitamin K	Vitamin K: Anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects in the nervous system. Vitamin K is involved in the metabolism of lipids involved in the proliferation of brain cells and neuron myelination.
Mushrooms (not specifically recommended in MIND diet, but included in table to acknowledge vitamin D’s role in cognition)	—	Vitamin D	Vitamin D: Binds to vitamin D receptor (VDR), which plays a role in neurodevelopment and nerve growth factors. Vitamin D may decrease neuroinflammation from increasing glutathione levels and inhibiting iNOS.