Correlation between fruit and vegetable intake and cognitive function

Abstract

ObjectiveTo provide a scientific basis for dietary guidance for older adults in China， the correlation between the total intake of fruit and vegetables and cognitive function was explored.MethodsA total of 406 people aged 55 years or older who participated in the 2015 Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey （CHNS） in Hubei Province were included in this study. Age， sex， urban or rural status， marital status， educational level， income， smoking， drinking， physical activity， red meat intake， fish intake， total energy intake， body mass index （BMI）， and hypertension were recorded. Multiple linear regression and a 95% confidence interval （95%CI） were used to evaluate the linear partial regression coefficients between fruit and vegetable intake and cognitive function.ResultsThe mean age of the subjects was 64.79±7.57 years old， the mean total fruit and vegetable intake was 330.18±165.56 g/d， and the mean cognitive score was 13.44±5.66 points. In the fully adjusted model， compared with the Q1 group， the linear partial regression coefficient and 95%CI of the Q4 group were 1.91 and 0.08-3.75. Compared with the daily intake of vegetables only， the linear partial regression coefficient and 95%CI for the daily intake of vegetables and fruits were 1.40， 0.15-2.73.ConclusionA higher fruit and vegetable intake is associated with better cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Fruit intake should be ensured while consuming vegetables.

Keywords

• cognitive function
• vegetables
• fruit
• middle-aged and elderly people