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Can food, taste and food memories help dementia suffers?
Hello! Thank you for your question regarding the impact of food, food memory, and taste on dementia sufferers.
The short answer to your question is that food, food memories, and taste can, in fact, benefit dementia sufferers, but the extent to which each of these factors can achieve that varies, as proven by numerous research studies. Ultimately, however, I have found that there is still far more research left to be done into this topic, as there is currently insufficient evidence in regards to multiple food-related factors which may or may not help dementia patients.
All of the information that I used to form this response was tracked down using a blend of sources including published research findings, articles by dementia-related organizations, academic databases, and medical science websites. Below you will find a deep dive of my findings.
FOOD
A dementia help sheet provided by Alzheimer’s Australia and funded by the Australian government stated that although some research has been conducted which links dietary factors with the risk of developing dementia, very little research currently exists in regards to whether diet can actually affect the progress of dementia in those who are already victims of the disease.
Right now, there are medical foods on the market targeted specifically towards the treatment of cognitive impairments like dementia, but there is currently insufficient evidence that their consumption would confer a significant benefit to the patient according to a research paper published by Alzheimer’s Disease International.
Some studies have, however, proven that following a Mediterranean diet not only reduces the risk of developing dementia but also results in a slower decline if the individual already has cognitive impairment or dementia. A Mediterranean diet is typically heavy on vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, some fruit and fish, olive oil, and small portions of meat. Overall, although there is no one food or diet, in particular, that has fully proven to help dementia sufferers, eating well-balanced, nutritious meals can certainly help prevent the patient from developing, even more, health problems, provide their body with more energy, and allow it to function more effectively under the circumstances.
FOOD MEMORIES
As time passes and an individual’s condition progresses, they may find that their appetite begins to decline, resulting from sensory changes which dull their ability to see, taste, and smell, thus taking the joy out of food and mealtimes. To combat this, an article published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence suggests ensuring that food which is served to the patient be well-seasoned and flavorful to target the patient’s senses and remind them of pleasant food memories, in an attempt to promote their appetite and enhance their connection to mealtimes.
A separate article from the same institute found that using a variety of activities to stir food and mealtime memories in dementia sufferers can help retain their interest in food and eating, such that they can avoid developing other health problems, as explained in the dementia help sheet mentioned above. For example, in many cases the patient will have spent many years working with or preparing food in the past, so doing things like involving them in mealtime preparation by having them cut vegetables or make sandwiches, or asking them to help with mealtime tasks like setting the table or doing the dishes, may stimulate past food-related memories in them and renew their interest in eating. Even starting conversations around topics like the patient’s favorite childhood foods, old recipe books, and trips to the grocery store can evoke memories from the past and various life experiences, serving as a powerful way of renewing appetites and lighting a spark in them.
Not only that, but getting the patients talking can aid those who are seeing to them in determining their dietary preferences, cultural backgrounds, and nutritional needs, allowing them to serve the patients the correct types of food, and increasing the chances of them actually consuming it, as per study results published by BioMed Central. Therefore, although food memories can’t necessarily prevent the progression of dementia, they may serve to bring back memories from the past and reinstate the patient’s interest in food, which is equally important in terms of ensuring that they don’t fall victim to other health issues.
TASTE
Although studies that isolated food tastes specifically as a factor that could be used to help dementia sufferers could not be found, research published by the University of Southampton did find that having sensory rooms which provide gentle stimulation of all senses available in care homes could benefit patients. As Dr. Anke Jakob from Kingston University London explained, the stimulation of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell altogether can “...enhance feelings of comfort and well-being, relieve stress and pain and maximize a person's potential to focus, all of which helps improve communication and memory.”
The article also discussed how closely sensory stimulation is related to memory, which was discussed above because specific scents and food with specific flavors could help evoke memories of past life experiences, and engage people living with dementia, to sharpen their cognitive abilities and prevent them from slowly drifting away.
The same article goes on to explain how research conducted by Dr. Lesley Collier at the University of Southampton found that if a sensory environment such as these sensory rooms could be adapted to the specific needs of the individual patient, the results could be life-changing. Dr. Collier discovered that 74% of people who participated in her research improved in motor performance, defined as the ability to undertake everyday tasks, while 63% improved in cognitive tasks including the ability to remember, problem solve and judge what to do in everyday activities, proving the effectiveness of this method. Therefore, although one can’t speak to food taste specifically, it is certain that it is a factor in improving the responsiveness and memory of dementia patients, alongside other sensory stimulation.
CONCLUSION
To wrap it up, several studies and research papers were analyzed to determine if there was a link between food, food memory, taste, and dementia patients. As you can see, these factors are indeed related, some more than the others, particularly in regards to helping the patient avoid developing other health issues while trying to deal with their cognitive impairment. Maintaining a healthy diet, participating in food-related conversation and activities, and having one’s senses gently stimulated may all contribute to a dementia patient’s overall well-being.
I hope you found this response to be helpful and continue to use the Wonder network for all your future research questions!