The role of composite dietary antioxidants in elderly cognitive function: insights from NHANES.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the relationship between the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) and cognitive function in elderly individuals to determine if increased antioxidant intake improves cognitive abilities.
Results Summary
Higher CDAI scores were significantly associated with improved cognitive performance across multiple tests, including the CERAD Word Learning and Recall Test, Animal Fluency Test, and Digit Symbol Substitution Test. Subgroup analyses indicated greater cognitive benefits in women, individuals aged 80+, Non-Hispanic Black people, and those with lower education levels.
Population
Elderly individuals aged 60 and above from the NHANES 2011-2014 dataset (n=2,516).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
higher Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) scores | increase | cognitive performance | elderly individuals aged 60 and above | - | statistically significant positive association | #1 |
increments in CDAI | increase | CERAD Word Learning Test: Score 1 | elderly individuals aged 60 and above | β = 0.04, 95% CI [0.03, 0.06] | associated with increased scores | #2 |
increments in CDAI | increase | CERAD Word Learning Test: Score 2 | elderly individuals aged 60 and above | β = 0.04, 95% CI [0.02, 0.05] | associated with increased scores | #3 |
increments in CDAI | increase | CERAD Word Learning Test: Score 3 | elderly individuals aged 60 and above | β = 0.04, 95% CI [0.02, 0.06] | associated with increased scores | #4 |
increments in CDAI | increase | CERAD Delayed Recall Test | elderly individuals aged 60 and above | β = 0.04, 95% CI [0.01, 0.06] | associated with increased scores | #5 |
higher CDAI scores | increase | Animal Fluency Test | elderly individuals aged 60 and above | β = 0.19, 95% CI [0.14, 0.24] | significant improvements were observed | #6 |
higher CDAI scores | increase | Digit Symbol Test | elderly individuals aged 60 and above | β = 0.55, 95% CI [0.39, 0.71] | significant improvements were observed | #7 |
higher CDAI scores | increase | cognitive performance | women | - | conferred more pronounced cognitive benefits | #8 |
higher CDAI scores | increase | cognitive performance | individuals aged 80 and above | - | conferred more pronounced cognitive benefits | #9 |
higher CDAI scores | increase | cognitive performance | Non-Hispanic Black people | - | conferred more pronounced cognitive benefits | #10 |
higher CDAI scores | increase | cognitive performance | those with lower educational levels | - | conferred more pronounced cognitive benefits | #11 |
an antioxidant-rich diet | decrease | age-related cognitive decline | the elderly | - | may represent a viable intervention to mitigate | #12 |
OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the relationship between the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) and cognitive function among elderly individuals, aiming to understand how increased antioxidant intake affects cognitive abilities in an aging population. METHODS: Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2014, we analyzed a sample of 2,516 participants aged 60 and above. Cognitive performance was assessed using the CERAD Word Learning and Recall Test, the Animal Fluency Test, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. Multivariable regression models were adjusted for demographic, dietary, and health-related factors to explore the association between CDAI scores and cognitive outcomes. RESULTS: The regression analyses showed a statistically significant positive association between higher CDAI scores and cognitive performance across several tests. Specifically, increments in CDAI were associated with increased scores in the CERAD Word Learning Test: Score 1 (β = 0.04, 95% CI [0.03, 0.06]), Score 2 (β = 0.04, 95% CI [0.02, 0.05]), Score 3 (β = 0.04, 95% CI [0.02, 0.06]), and the Delayed Recall Test (β = 0.04, 95% CI [0.01, 0.06]). Additionally, significant improvements were observed in the Animal Fluency Test (β = 0.19, 95% CI [0.14, 0.24]) and the Digit Symbol Test (β = 0.55, 95% CI [0.39, 0.71]). Subgroup analyses further highlighted that higher CDAI scores conferred more pronounced cognitive benefits in women, individuals aged 80 and above, Non-Hispanic Black people, and those with lower educational levels, suggesting that dietary antioxidants might be particularly beneficial in these groups. CONCLUSION: An antioxidant-rich diet may represent a viable intervention to mitigate age-related cognitive decline, supporting cognitive health in the elderly. These results underscore the potential public health implications of dietary recommendations aimed at increasing antioxidant consumption among older adults. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings and to investigate the underlying mechanisms in detail.