Are you caring for a parent or partner living with MS? You’re not alone.
More older adults are living with multiple sclerosis than ever before. Recent U.S. research suggests that about 9% of all people with MS are 65 or older — roughly 60,000 to 70,000 seniors nationwide.
As people with MS live longer, and as more are diagnosed later in life, families are finding themselves navigating a condition once thought to belong mostly to younger adults.
A gentle update on something familiar
Recently, we shared an article about why the Mediterranean diet works so well for older adults. Right after that story ran, a new piece of research landed—this time offering a little hope to people living with multiple sclerosis, and to the families who walk that road with them.
This study, published in the journal Nutrients, and summarized by medical writer Steve Bryson, PhD, looked at nearly 1,000 adults. It asked a simple question: Does eating in a Mediterranean or MIND style make any difference in how people with MS think and remember?
The answer wasn’t magical. But it was encouraging. And encouraging is good.
What the researchers found
People who ate the closest to these diets—more vegetables, beans, nuts, berries, fish, and olive oil—tended to do better on tests that measure specific parts of thinking.
Not everything improved. But a few key areas did:
- Processing information more quickly
- Remembering words
- Solving problems and puzzles
- Understanding and using vocabulary
The improvements were not dramatic, but they were steady and noticeable across the group.
Who seemed to benefit the most?
The findings were strongest in people with progressive MS, a form of the disease that tends to move forward more steadily over time. Even moderate adherence to the MIND diet—trying, but not perfect—was linked to better verbal memory.
People with relapsing MS showed a more complicated picture. The diet seemed more helpful for those not taking disease-modifying treatments. Researchers don’t yet know why.
The way to read these results is not “food replaces medicine.”
It’s simply that food may play a supporting role, especially in people who aren’t receiving other therapies.
A reasonable hope, not a miracle cure
The researchers are very clear:
This study shows a connection, not a cause.
People who feel well enough to cook may naturally eat healthier. And lifestyle habits like sleep, exercise, or smoking may also play a part.
But even with those caveats, the pattern is hard to ignore. Healthier diets keep showing up next to better brain outcomes—especially diets rich in leafy greens, berries, legumes, fish, and olive oil.
For older adults living with MS, or caring for someone who is, this is a gentle bit of good news:
You may have more influence over your daily brain health than you thought.
What this can mean for you or your family
You do not need a perfect diet, a nutrition degree, or expensive specialty foods. The Mediterranean and MIND diets were built on everyday, affordable staples.
Smart Senior Daily has created a "swaps" guide that can help you out:
Simple Mediterranean Swaps for MS-Friendly Eating
Small changes are easier to keep up with than big overhauls. Think “swap,” not “diet.”
Action: Choose just one change this week — and let it be enough.
Spinach, romaine, kale, and mixed greens offer steady support for brain health.
Action: Add greens to lunch or dinner three times this week.
Olive oil brings healthy fats that fit naturally with the Mediterranean pattern.
Action: Try using olive oil when sautéing vegetables or dressing salads.
Beans are inexpensive, filling, and a simple way to cut back on red meat.
Action: Make one bean-based meal this week — chili, lentil soup, or a simple bean salad.
Berries offer antioxidants that support long-term brain health; frozen is fine.
Action: Add berries to breakfast or enjoy a small bowl as dessert.
Fish, tofu, and legumes fit the Mediterranean pattern without requiring big changes.
Action: Swap one weekly red-meat meal for fish or a plant-forward option.
You don’t need to follow any diet perfectly. Small, steady efforts matter most.
Action: Celebrate your progress, even on imperfect weeks.
Small choices taken consistently often do more than big changes we can’t sustain.
Most importantly, no one should feel guilty. Food is not a cure for MS. But it can be a steady companion on the journey.
Health Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Please speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, medication, or MS treatment plan.
