Role of plant-based diet in late-life cognitive decline: results from the Salus in Apulia Study

ABSTRACT

Objectives

Consistency among population-based studies investigating the relationship between diet and cognition in older inhabitants in the Mediterranean area is poor. The present study investigated whether diet changes over 12 years were associated with cognitive function in older people in Southern-Italy.

Methods

From the ‘Salus in Apulia Study’, that includes the MICOL and GreatAGE Studies, 584 participants were selected, firstly enrolled in MICOL3 (M3) and later in the GreatAGE Study (MICOL4, M4). Foods and micronutrients intake were recorded in both studies, and global cognitive function in M4, assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination.

Results

Plant-based foods, particularly coffee and vegetables, as well as vitamin A sources, were inversely associated to age-related cognitive impairment. Alcohol consumption showed a detrimental role on cognition, while red meat appeared to be beneficial in the present study, although its role is traditionally considered harmful for cognitive function.

Discussion

Our study confirmed that a traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern based on agricultural products and low alcohol consumption may help to prevent/delay age-related cognitive impairment.

KEYWORDS:

• Dementia
• food intake
• micronutrients
• Mediterranean diet
• cognitive impairment
• population study
• Italy
• Salus in Apulia Study‌

Acknowledgements

We thank the MICOL Study group and the ‘Salus in Apulia’ Research Team. This manuscript is the result of the research work on frailty undertaken by the ‘Italia Longeva: Research Network on Aging’ team, supported by the resources of the Italian Ministry of Health—Research Networks of National Health Institutes. We thank the General Practitioners of Castellana Grotte, for their fundamental role in the recruitment of participants to this studies: Campanella Cecilia Olga Maria, Daddabbo Annamaria, Dell’Aera Giosuè, Giustiniano Rosalia Francesca, Guzzoni Iudice Massimo, Lomuscio Savino, Lucarelli Rocco, Mazzarisi Antonio, Palumbo Mariana, Persio Maria Teresa, Pesce Rosa Vincenza, Puzzovivo Gabriella, Romano Pasqua Maria, Sgobba Cinzia, Simeone Francesco, Tartaglia Paola, Tauro Nicola. We thank M.V. Pragnell, B.A., for her precious help as native English language supervisor.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Conceptualization: HB, FP and GG; Methodology: PB, HB, GDP; Software: VG and RD; Validation: RS and FP; Formal analysis: VG and RD; Investigation: LL, FC, IB, ML; Resources: G.G.; Data curation: FC, CG; Writing – Original Draft Preparation: R.Z., CG and HB; Writing – Review & Editing: FP and RS; Visualization: GDP; Supervision, FP and RS; Project Administration, G.G.

Notes on contributors

The authors of the present manuscript are young or senior scientific researchers belonging to the 'Salus in Apulia Study' project.