Older Adults Who Participate in SNAP Program May Have Slower Memory Decline 

A new study published in Neurology found that eligible older adults who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the US may have slower memory decline than people who do not participate. 

At the beginning of the study, SNAP users had lower socioeconomic status and more chronic conditions than those who did not participate in the program. Researchers found that while SNAP users had worse memory scores at the start of the study, they had slower rates of memory decline compared to non-users over the course of the study. 
In particular, researchers found that those who used SNAP had about 2 fewer years of cognitive aging over a 10-year period compared to those who didn’t use SNAP.

“While SNAP’s primary goal is to reduce food insecurity among low-income households and to increase access to higher quantity and quality foods, eating healthier may also benefit brain health,” said Adina Zeki Al Hazzouri, PhD, MSc, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. “SNAP may also reduce stress and overall financial hardship, which has been linked to premature cognitive aging and reduced brain health. Future research should explore these underlying impacts.”
The study had an enrollment of 3,555 people, average age 66 years, who were eligible for SNAP benefits. Of those people, 559 were eligible SNAP users and 2,996 were eligible but did not use the program. 

Researchers measured memory function every 2 years over 20 years. People were asked to complete memory and thinking tests, such as recalling a list of words and answering questions about what they can remember in their everyday lives.