Patterns of Japanese Diet and Risk of Dementia

The prevalence of dementia has increased rapidly over the past two decades in Japan, with approximately 15 % of people aged ≥65 years in 2012. The effect of diet on the onset of dementia is of scientific and public interest. The shift from a traditional Japanese diet toward a Western diet may be related to the rapid rise in the burden of dementia in Japan. The limited epidemiological evidence suggests that high adherence to a traditional Japanese diet in addition to a high intake of milk and dairy products and a balanced intake of rice is associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Since it is crucial to begin protecting the brain before any cognitive impairment becomes manifest, primary prevention of dementia with a favorable diet and lifestyle modifications may be an appropriate population strategy. Further researches are warranted to establish a causative role of diet for the prevention of dementia.