A Prospective Association of Nut Consumption with Cognitive Function in Chinese Adults Aged 55+ _ China Health and Nutrition Survey

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association of nut intake with cognitive function in Chinese adults aged 55 and over. Design: This was a prospective open cohort study with repeated measurements of diet and cognition scores. Participants/settings: 4822 adults aged 55 and over participating in the China Health Nutrition Survey during 1991–2006. Measurements: Global cognitive function measured repeatedly in 1997, 2001, 2004, and 2006 using a subset of modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status; poor cognitive function was defined as cognition score<7. Nut consumption was collected using 3-day 24 recall method in 1991, 1993, and at surveys of cognition assessment. Statistical analyses performed: Multilevel mixed effect linear regression and logistic regression analysis were conducted to assess the association with cognitive function. Results: The unadjusted cognitive score decreased by 0.29 (95% CI 0.22–0.28) with one-year aging during 1997–2006. Nut intake of more than 10g/d was associated with higher cognition score by 0.63 points (95% CI 0.15–1.12) or 40% less likely to have poor cognitive function (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.43–0.84) after adjusted for demographic, lifestyle behavioural, BMI, and energy intake. Conclusions: Nut consumption was inversely associated with cognition decline.