Alcohol Minimalist: Mindful Drinking & Behavior Change7 Aug 2025

Think Thursday: MODERN Diet vs MIND Diet

This week on Think Thursday, we’re diving into the latest research around brain-healthy eating—and how artificial intelligence is changing the nutrition game. In July 2025, a major new study introduced the MODERN diet—a machine-learning-optimized eating pattern that may reduce your risk of dementia by more than 50%.

In this episode, I compare the MODERN diet with the more established MIND diet (a blend of the Mediterranean and DASH diets), break down how both support cognitive function, and explain why the science behind these claims is powerful but not perfect.

I also circle back to my October 2024 Think Thursday episode, where we explored how a Mediterranean-style diet—rich in omega-3s, B vitamins, and antioxidants—can support memory, mood, and long-term brain health. If that episode got you thinking about your plate, today’s episode will give you even more clarity on how and why what you eat matters.

Whether you’re navigating midlife, aging intentionally, or just looking for simple, science-backed steps to boost your brainpower, this one’s for you.

What You’ll Learn

What the MODERN diet is—and how it was created with AI
How it compares to the MIND diet (and the Mediterranean diet we covered last October)
Why leafy greens, berries, citrus, and olive oil remain nutritional powerhouses
The truth about observational research vs. randomized trials
How to use this information to take one simple action this week

Referenced Resources

Your Next Small Step

Try adding one MODERN-approved food to your meals this week—like citrus, leafy greens, or berries. And if you’re up for it, take one small step to reduce your intake of sweetened beverages or highly processed foods.

Connect with Me

If this episode sparked questions or ideas, I’d love to hear from you! Email me at molly@mollywatts.com and tell me what small shift you're making to support your brain health.

★ Support this podcast ★

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(374)

Think Thursday: Why Your Brain Needs to Move

On this Think Thursday episode of the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast, Molly explores the strange kind of exhaustion that happens when your brain is overstimulated but your body has barely moved.Inspired b...

14 Maj 15min

Revisiting: I Come from a Long Line of Drinkers

In this episode of the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast, Molly revisits the powerful belief so many people carry: “I come from a long line of drinkers.” Whether that story comes from family history, cultura...

11 Maj 19min

Think Thursday: Sleep, Mental Health & The Science of Flourishing

Sleep, Mental Health, and the Science of FlourishingThis week on Think Thursday, Molly revisits a topic that has shown up many times on the podcast: sleep. But this conversation takes a different angl...

7 Maj 13min

Revisiting: The Five Things I Needed to Change Before I Could Change My Drinking

In this episode of the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast, Molly revisits episode 100: “5 Things I Had to Change Before I Changed My Drinking.” Originally released in November 2022, this conversation is just ...

4 Maj 21min

Think Thursday: Living Alongside Mental Illness-The Hidden Impact on Your Brain & Behavior

Episode SummaryWhat is it like to live with someone who is struggling with their mental health?In this Think Thursday episode, Molly explores the often-overlooked experience of living alongside mental...

30 Apr 11min

Alcohol Awareness Month: What Alcohol Awareness Really Means

As Alcohol Awareness Month comes to a close, Molly reflects on what alcohol awareness really means and why it is about more than fear, labels, or all-or-nothing thinking. Drawing on this month’s episo...

27 Apr 21min

Think Thursday: The Story Your Brain Tells First

Your brain doesn’t wait to tell a story about your life—it creates one in real time.In this Think Thursday episode, Molly builds on the foundational concept of “the gap and the gain” and takes it one ...

23 Apr 11min

Alcohol Awareness Month: How Curious Elixirs Is Redefining What Drinking Less Can Look Like with J.W. Wiseman

In this episode of the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast, Molly talks with J.W. Wiseman, founder of Curious Elixirs, about the rise of craft non-alcoholic cocktails and why they matter so much for people who...

20 Apr 40min