Association of the Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay Diet With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Multicenter Case Control Study Publisher



Abbasnezhad A ; Mohammadi S ; Samadi M ; Yarizadeh H ; Fazeli Moghadam E ; Shahinfar H
Source: Journal of Nutrition and Food Security Published:2026

Abstract

Background: The association between Mediterranean-DASH diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet score and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been rarely investigated; therefore, the authors aim to investigate the association between MIND diet score and IBS odds. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 876 adult participants. Dietary intake was evaluated using a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The MIND diet score was calculated using FFQ. Furthermore, socio-economic status, anthropometric measures, and blood pressure were recorded by a trained interviewer, using standard methods. Finally, logistic regression was used to investigate the association between MIND diet and IBS. Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.9 years. Being the last quantile of MIND diet score was associated with 19% lower odds of IBS in crude model. Also, a significant association was seen in the fully adjusted model; such that individuals in the top category of MIND diet score were 27% less likely to have IBS compared with those in the bottom category. Conclusions: In summary, the authors presented evidence showing a negative association between adherence to the MIND diet and odds of IBS. Ultimately, because of the likely preventive influence of diet, it is essential to elucidate the relationship between diet and IBS via extensive prospective cohort studies in the future. © 2026 Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.