A prospective analysis of 2,288 inflammatory bowel disease patients found that high adherence to the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet reduced surgery risk by 36% over nearly 11 years of follow-up. The protective effect was most pronounced in Crohn's disease patients, showing a linear dose-response relationship, while ulcerative colitis patients experienced benefits that plateaued at moderate adherence levels. Key protective components included higher vegetable intake and reduced consumption of butter and fried foods. This represents compelling evidence that a dietary pattern originally designed for brain health may offer significant benefits for gut inflammation management. The MIND diet's emphasis on anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, berries, and whole grains while limiting processed foods aligns with emerging understanding of the gut-brain axis and systemic inflammation's role in IBD progression. The finding that patients with shorter disease duration and complicated phenotypes benefited most suggests early dietary intervention could prevent severe complications. However, as this preprint awaits peer review, the results require validation. The observational design also limits causal conclusions, though the large sample size and extensive follow-up period strengthen the findings' credibility for clinical practice guidance.