Best Practices for Communicating Nutrition and Brain Health Science.

Abstract

The state of the science of nutrition and its relationship to brain health is complex, making dissemination of research findings difficult. One contributing factor is the lack of a consensus on defining brain health. Some organizations emphasize cognitive function (eg, memory, perception, judgment, decline, impairment) and/or the presence of dementia, whereas others use a broader conceptualization to include mood and stress. Regarding nutrition, some studies support specific dietary patterns, such as the MIND (Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet, for preserving cognitive function. Others find no effect. Public-facing organizations communicate this science in varying ways to meet consumer and patient needs and interest in preserving brain function as they age. Some organizations have standardized communication methods, whereas others communicate based on topics most salient to the consumer or patient, regardless of the strength of the evidence. This conceptual article reflects a roundtable discussion among stakeholders to document processes for communicating the state of the science to inform best practices moving forward. Six best practices are offered to ensure consistent, evidence-based communication, which is vital in the digital age where misinformation is pervasive.