Study Links Mediterranean Diet to Lower Multiple Sclerosis Risk Levels - Video

Eating your way to brain health might be simpler than you think. A large17-year study from-sweden-has found that people who closely follow a Mediterranean style diet-rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and fish-have a significantly lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS).

Published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal, the findings highlight that even minor improvements in diet can confer protection, particularly for young adults and nonsmokers.

MS is a chronic disorder in which the immune system attacks nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, leading to fatigue, balance problems, and progressive disability. Genetics play a role, but environmental factors such as lifestyle, smoking, and diet also influence its onset. The Mediterranean diet, well known for its antioxidant and anti inflammatory effects, has already been linked to lower risks of Alzheimer’s and heart disease. Researchers wanted to find out whether these same properties might shield against MS—a disease heavily associated with inflammation of the central nervous system.

Led by Dr. Sara Ratti from the University of Milano Bicocca, investigators analyzed data from 41,428 adults enrolled in the long running Swedish National March Cohort—one of the world’s largest lifestyle surveys. Participants, none with MS at baseline, completed detailed questionnaires about their diet, physical activity, vitamin intake, and smoking habits. Researchers then calculated each person’s Mediterranean Diet Score (0–9), awarding points for higher consumption of plant based foods and healthier fats, and subtracting for excess meat or dairy.

During an average 17.6 year follow up, 89 participants developed MS. Each 1 point increase in the Mediterranean Diet Score corresponded to a 14% lower disease risk overall, rising to 26% among nonsmokers and 23% in people under 45. Even partial adherence offered benefits; those making small dietary shifts—like adding extra vegetables or swapping butter for olive oil—saw gradual risk reductions.

The protective effect vanished among smokers, likely because tobacco related inflammation overrides diet’s anti inflammatory power, Ratti explained. Younger adults benefited the most, reinforcing the value of adopting healthy habits early in life.

Experts including Johns Hopkins neurologist Dr. Michael Kornberg praised the study’s robust design but noted that definitive causation requires randomized trials. Still, the results strengthen existing evidence that what we eat influences neurological disease risk.

REFERENCE: Ratti S, Eke H, Cantarutti A, et al. Mediterranean diet and risk of multiple sclerosis: A prospective cohort study. Multiple Sclerosis Journal. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/13524585251396408