Click on each brain health pillar below to view expert interviews on each topic.

Be

Social

Engage

Your Brain

Manage

Stress

Ongoing

Exercise

Restorative

Sleep

Eat

Right

The Eat Right Pillar: How are Nutrition and Brain Health Related?

This year, AARP is focusing on the “Eat right” pillar to understand the role that nutrition plays in brain health. Though good nutrition is needed over a lifetime, each phase of life requires emphasis on different elements. The 2025 Healthy Eating and Brain Health study explores midlife-to-older adults’ attitudes and opinions related to nutrition and cognitive well-being. These findings refresh and expand on work from the 2017 Brain Health and Nutrition Survey.

There is no key food to good brain health; a well-rounded healthy diet is required to promote brain function. However, only 1% of individuals in the 2017 study consumed the recommended number of servings in all five food groups, which can be especially problematic for older adults.

Fruits

Vegetables

Dairy

Protein

Grains

The Gerontological Society of America acknowledges that older adults are at risk of decreased absorption of certain nutrients. Brain function is supported by certain vitamins and minerals, so maintaining a healthy diet is key to overcoming lack of absorption to preserve — and optimize — brain health as you age.

My Plate for Older Adults: What Should a Brain-Healthy Meal Look Like?

Adults can use the guidance from the “My Plate for Older Adults” to ensure they are getting the proper nutrition. The GCBH outlines five recommendations for maintaining brain health through diet. These include eating foods such as berries, fresh vegetables, fish, and grains, limiting the consumption of processed foods and red meats, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding or moderating alcohol consumption. The Healthy Eating and Brain Health study found that two in three adults age 40-plus take part in these healthy eating behaviors at least occasionally in a typical week.

In Their Own Words: What is Healthy Eating for Brain Health?

AARP’s 2025 Nutrition and Brain Health study brought together everyday people to talk about brain health, with a focus on how nutrition impacts their brain function. While these participants demonstrated the connection between nutrition and brain health, only a few noted making food choices with brain health in mind. Instead, most drew a connection between healthy food choices and overall health – and brain health was merely a part of this, rather than the driving force.

“ ”

I don’t have any knowledge about foods that impact ‘brain health’ any more than just overall health. Nor am I aware of scientific consensus on this point.

–Ages 40–54

“ ”

If I keep my body in good working order through healthy nutrition (and physical exercise, too, of course), then my brain will also benefit from the same nutritional inputs.

–Age 55+

“ ”

I think fresh fruits and vegetables are specific contributors to brain health … I don't recall where I specifically learned about the brain health benefits but I do read a lot on health.

–Age 55+

Ready To Make a Diet Change, But Finding It Difficult?

Fortunately, willingness to make diet changes to reduce the risk of cognitive decline or dementia has increased. A 2023 report on healthy eating by the Mather Institute revealed that nearly all adults 55 or older are motivated to eat better to preserve their brain health. In the 2017 AARP study, four in ten adults 40-plus said they were very likely to alter their diet with this goal in mind. Encouragingly, the 2025 Healthy Eating and Brain Health study shows that now six in ten say the same. Furthermore, half said they have been trying to consistently eat a healthier diet or are already eating a healthy diet and are committed to continuing to do so.

More adults are saying they are “very likely” to change their diet for better brain health

2017 vs. 2025

2017

4 of 10 adults say they are "very likely" to change their diet for better brain health.

2025

6 of 10 adults say they are "very likely" to change their diet for better brain health.

Are You Prioritizing Brain-Healthy Eating?

Despite these good intentions, most older adults are not getting proper nutrition to support their brain health. In the Healthy Eating and Brain Health study, most adults 40-plus rate their overall health as good, very good, or excellent. However, less than one-third report eating a healthy diet most or all of the time.

One in three adults age 40-plus are engaging in behaviors discouraged by the GCBH, including elements that are often found in a Western diet, such as heavily processed foods, high saturated or trans fats, and added sugars.

When asked about the impact of the BE MORE factors on brain health, other factors out-rank healthy eating habits; only 10% of adults 40-plus rate a healthy diet as the most important factor for maintaining brain health. In a separate 2025 study — Engaging in Brain-Healthy Behaviors: Motivators and Barriers for Adults Over 50 — one in five adults said that eating a healthy, well-balanced meal only yields a small impact on brain health.

Which BE MORE element is most important for maintaining brain health?

Among adults ages 50-plus

B

E

0%

Be Social

0%

Engage Your Brain

M

O

R

E

0%

Manage Stress

0%

Ongoing Exercise

0%

Restorative Sleep

0%

Eat Right

Source: AARP Healthy Eating and Brain Health, August 2025.

What Stops You From Eating a Healthy Diet?

Making healthy eating choices is not always easy, and the reasons for the disconnect between wanting to eat healthy and doing so are multifaceted. While adults 40-plus mention factors such as complexity, taste, and restrictions as reasons for not eating healthy, the cost of healthy eating is the most frequently mentioned barrier.

One-third of individuals agree that information from a doctor would be a helpful motivator to drive diet change. While 7 in 10 adults 40-plus say that their doctors are doing blood work to look for nutritional deficiencies, conversations with their doctor about diet and brain health are sparse. Only 4 in 10 are having conversations specifically about diet, and just one-third are homing in on proper nutrition.

Barriers to Eating a Healthy Diet

Among adults ages 40-plus, percent who agree

Select a barrier below to discover how everyday people explain these barriers to healthy eating.

39%

It's too costly

36%

It's hard, inconvenient, or restrictive

34%

Need motivation from a doctor

23%

Not a "healthy foods" person, dislike the taste

I try to buy the best foods within reason, also considering cost … (e.g., if extra lean meat is especially expensive, I might buy the next leanest meat).

- Age 55+

Fish was my first choice for protein, but it was more expensive compared to meat, so I did not buy it as much.

- Age 55+

I wish I could spend more money on food. The healthier the food the more expensive it is … That’s the only thing that affects my choices in food.

- Ages 40–54

I could also exclusively shop ‘healthy’ food markets and specialty stores, but they aren't always convenient.

- Age 55+

Healthy … means harder to find at convenient locations.

- Ages 45–54

Healthy can be complicated. It can mean reading labels, lots of them … Healthy also means constant change. What is healthy for us seems to change every year.

- Age 55+

I try to [eat] better … things my doctor tells me I follow to the best of my ability but as long as my family eats I don't think I really prioritize food.

- Age 55+

I want my doctor to send me home after each checkup with a clean bill of health.

- Age 55+

I have a men’s specialist … that I see routinely to identify gaps in my nutrition or and deficiencies in my health.

- Ages 40–54

But, I am a picky eater. I don't eat fish or beans, broccoli, cauliflower, avocado, so I do struggle with diet plans.

- Ages 40–54

When I hear ‘healthy’ in describing food, I think of bland and uneventful dishes ahead.

- Ages 40–54

I KNOW that’s what healthy is, but my tastebuds won’t allow me to be quite that strict!

- Ages 40–54

Source: AARP Healthy Eating and Brain Health, August 2025.

Social Influences: Both a Friend and Foe for Healthy Eating

The challenge of eating healthy isn’t only about factors like cost or convenience. For many, food is more than just nourishment; it’s also about enjoyment, comfort and a personal experience. Miller et al. reviewed research specific to barriers for healthy eating in adults 65-plus and found that eating alone and loneliness contributed as a barrier to healthy nutrition. In fact, the USDA version of Healthy Eating for Older Adults encourages individuals to “Make eating a social event.”

AARP’s Views on Eating and Food study shows that four in five adults age 18-plus say that sharing a meal is an opportunity to socialize with others.

However, while making a meal a social event may encourage healthy eating behaviors, cultural norms and tradition may also inhibit individuals from sticking to a healthy diet. In the AARP Nutrition and Brain Health study, participants reflected on what defines a “good meal.” Nostalgia, social connection, culture, favorite foods, and taste were, for the most part, prioritized over health and nutrition and could contribute to why sticking to a healthy diet that prioritizes brain health can be difficult.

“ ”

I feel that some people do not choose correctly because they might be feeling down and want a comfort food which is easier to grab than making a healthy meal.

–Age 55+

“ ”

Since I am Indian and I tend to eat a lot of spicy dishes and rice and curries ... But in times of stress eating comfort food is not uncommon.

–Ages 40–54

“ ”

A good meal … makes me feel content. People and places impact this … I think a good meal provides comfort, even if it may not be the most healthy.

–Age 40–54

It's Never Too Late to Start a Healthy Diet

In 2017, the GCBH experts shared eleven key takeaways from nutrition research. One key takeaway was:

AARP’s research shows many midlife-to-older adults already buy into this message. The Healthy Eating and Brain Health study shows that most adults 40-plus acknowledge that regardless of age, adopting healthy eating habits can lead to significant improvements in health. Many strongly agree that small changes to diet are a path to maintaining independence and improving overall health and brain health.

“ ”

As a person at this life stage, I feel there is definitely a benefit in incorporating more of these brain healthy foods into my routine to help me keep the brain health and strength that I currently have and possibly improve it.

–Ages 40–54

In the 2025 Healthy Eating and Brain Health study, participants who explored brain health on their own said they often turned to familiar sources — like articles, books, conversations with friends, or online searches.

Technology Can Help—If You’re Ready to Give It a Try

One in five adults 40-plus agree that reliable hints and tools would promote consistency when it comes to a healthy diet. Fortunately, a variety of tools are available to support a healthy lifestyle and make healthy eating easier. One in five adults 40-plus turn to apps or websites that provide healthy recipes, and nearly as many explore educational content, such as healthy cooking, meal prep, and nutrition tips, on social media. Interest in these tools is even higher. Similarly and specific to brain health, AARP’s 2025 Tech Trends report shows that about one-third of adults 50-plus have interest in using technology to maintain brain health.

In the 2025 Nutrition and Brain Health study, participants shared creative ideas for how technology could evolve to make it easier for people to eat well and support brain health. Ideas included apps that would:

Build flavorful recipes including foods that they might not normally eat

Offer a checklist of brain-healthy foods to eat or shop for each day

Allow recipe sharing for brain healthy meals

Provide voiced guidance on a balanced food plate

Learn More About Brain Health

Use the resources from AARP below to learn about ways to improve your brain health and incorporate healthy eating into your daily routine.