Fruit and vegetable intake and cognitive decline in middle-aged men and women: the Doetinchem Cohort Study

A.C.J. Nooyens*, H.B. Bueno-de-Mesquita, M.P.J. van Boxtel, B.M. van Gelder, H. Verhagen, W.M.M. Verschuren

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

To postpone cognitive decline and dementia in old age, primary prevention is required earlier in life during middle age. Dietary components may be modifiable determinants of mental performance. In the present study, habitual fruit and vegetable intake was studied in association with cognitive function and cognitive decline during middle age. In the Doetinchem Cohort Study, 2613 men and women aged 43-70 years at baseline (1995-2002) were examined for cognitive function twice, with a 5-year time interval. Global cognitive function and the domains memory, information processing speed and cognitive flexibility were assessed. Dietary intake was assessed with a semi-quantitative FFQ. In multivariate linear regression analyses, habitual fruit and vegetable intake was studied in association with baseline and change in cognitive function. Higher reported vegetable intake was associated with lower information processing speed (P=0.02) and worse cognitive flexibility (P=0.03) at baseline, but with smaller decline in information processing speed (P
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)752-761
JournalBritish Journal of Nutrition
Volume106
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2011

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