The Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) dietary pattern is associated with reduced cognitive decline and dementia risk. However, the nutrient features that distinguish the MIND from other patterns are unknown. We investigated the relationship between accordance to the MIND pattern and carotenoid intake (phytonutrients hypothesized to confer neuroprotection) relative to the Mediterranean, DASH, and Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2020). We hypothesized that MIND diet accordance would be a stronger predictor of carotenoid intake relative to other diet indices. A total of 396 adults (aged 19–82 years) completed the Dietary History Questionnaire to assess carotenoid intake and adherence to each diet index. Stepwise regressions with adjustment for covariates followed by the Meng's Z-test were used to compare correlation strength between each diet pattern and carotenoid. All diet patterns were positively associated with lutein and zeaxanthin, β-carotene, α-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin (all βs ≥0.38, s <.01). Effect size comparisons revealed that MIND accordance predicted a greater proportion of variance in lutein and zeaxanthin (all s ≥ 3.3, s < .001) and β-carotene (all s ≥ 2.6, s < .01) relative to the Mediterranean, DASH, and HEI-2020. MIND accordance explained a greater proportion of variance in α-carotene ( = 3.8, < .001) and β-cryptoxanthin ( = 3.6, < .001) relative to the HEI-2020. MIND diet accordance was disproportionately related to carotenoid intake, indicating the MIND index places greater emphasis on carotenoid-rich foods, particularly those containing lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene, relative to other diet indices. Future research is needed to define the role of these carotenoids in nutritional interventions for cognitive health.

中文翻译：

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饮食模式和类胡萝卜素摄入量：MIND、地中海、DASH 和健康饮食指数的比较

地中海饮食控制高血压 (DASH) 神经退行性延迟干预 (MIND) 饮食模式与降低认知能力下降和痴呆风险相关。然而，区分 MIND 与其他模式的营养特征尚不清楚。我们研究了 MIND 模式与类胡萝卜素摄入量（假设具有神经保护作用的植物营养素）相对于地中海、DASH 和健康饮食指数 (HEI-2020) 之间的关系。我们假设，相对于其他饮食指数，MIND 饮食一致性将是类胡萝卜素摄入量的更强预测指标。共有 396 名成年人（19-82 岁）完成了饮食史调查问卷，以评估类胡萝卜素的摄入量和对每个饮食指数的遵守情况。使用协变量调整后的逐步回归以及孟氏 Z 检验来比较每种饮食模式与类胡萝卜素之间的相关强度。所有饮食模式均与叶黄素、玉米黄质、β-胡萝卜素、α-胡萝卜素和 β-隐黄质呈正相关（所有 βs ≥0.38，s <.01）。效应大小比较显示，相对于地中海、DASH、和 HEI-2020。 MIND 一致解释了相对于 HEI-2020，α-胡萝卜素 (= 3.8，< .001) 和 β-隐黄质 (= 3.6，< .001) 的方差比例更大。 MIND 饮食一致性与类胡萝卜素摄入量不成比例地相关，这表明相对于其他饮食指数，MIND 指数更注重富含类胡萝卜素的食物，特别是含有叶黄素、玉米黄质和 β-胡萝卜素的食物。未来的研究需要确定这些类胡萝卜素在认知健康营养干预中的作用。