Diet and cognitive decline at middle age: the role of antioxidants

Astrid C. J. Nooyens*, Ivon E. J. Milder, Boukje M. van Gelder, H. Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, Martin P. J. van Boxtel, W. M. Monique Verschuren

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

To assess the relationship between dietary intake of antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, -carotene, lutein, flavonoids and lignans) and cognitive decline at middle age, analyses were performed on data from the population based Doetinchem Cohort Study. Habitual diet and cognitive function were assessed twice with a 5-year interval in 2613 persons aged 43-70 year at baseline (1995-2002). Diet was assessed with a validated 178-item semi-quantitative FFQ. Cognitive function was assessed with a neuropsychological test battery, consisting of the 15 Words Learning Test, the Stroop Test, the Word Fluency test, and the Letter Digit Substitution Test. Scores on global cognitive function, memory, processing speed, and cognitive flexibility were calculated. In regression analyses, quintiles of antioxidant intake were associated with change in cognitive domain scores. Results showed that higher lignan intake was linearly associated with less decline in global cognitive function (P=0.01), memory (P
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1410-1417
JournalBritish Journal of Nutrition
Volume113
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 May 2015

Keywords

  • Antioxidants
  • Cognitive decline
  • Cohort studies
  • Middle-aged populations

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