Diet and cognition in older people in Mexico City

Gac Med Mex. 2024;160(3):265-273. doi: 10.24875/GMM.M24000914.

Abstract

Background: Specific dietary compounds are essential for cognitive health.

Objective: To examine differences in the consumption of macronutrients and inorganic nutrients between people with a higher and lower risk of cognitive impairment.

Material and methods: Cross-sectional analysis of the 3Ollin study. Minimal Mental State Examination determined cognitive status. Two groups were obtained from the median of the score: higher and lower risk of cognitive deterioration. Diet was assessed using two 24-hour recalls. Descriptive statistics and comparison analysis of medians using Mann-Whitney U and Spearman correlation analysis were performed between nutrients and MMSE scores. The results were considered statistically significant when p ≤ 0.05.

Results: Data from 425 people were analyzed; the median age was 71 years (P25-P75 = 65-77). In the group with a lower risk of cognitive impairment, a higher consumption of calories, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, folate, phosphorus, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, zinc, selenium, and lycopene were observed. Also, a greater consumption of fruits and vegetables (p < 0.005).

Conclusions: There are significant differences in diet between groups at risk for cognitive impairment.

Antecedentes: Compuestos específicos de la dieta son fundamentales para la salud cognitiva.

Objetivo: Examinar las diferencias en el consumo de macronutrimentos y nutrimentos inorgánicos en personas con mayor y menor riesgo de deterioro cognitivo.

Material y mmétodos: Análisis transversal del estudio 3Ollin. El estado cognitivo se determinó con el Examen Mínimo del Estado Mental (MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination). A partir de la mediana de la puntuación del MMSE se obtuvieron dos grupos: mayor y menor riesgo de deterioro cognitivo. La dieta se evaluó mediante dos recordatorios de 24 horas. Se realizó estadística descriptiva, análisis de comparación de medianas con U de Mann-Whitney y análisis de correlación de Spearman entre los nutrimentos y las puntuaciones del MMSE. Los resultados se consideraron estadísticamente significativos con valor de p ≤ 0.05.

Resultados: Se analizaron los datos de 425 personas, la mediana de edad fue 71 años (P25-P75 = 65-77). En el grupo con menor riesgo de deterioro cognitivo se observó un mayor consumo de calorías, proteína, hidratos de carbono, fibra, folato, fósforo, ácido ascórbico, vitamina E, alfa-tocoferol, vitamina B6, vitamina B12, cinc, selenio y licopeno, y un mayor consumo de frutas y verduras en conjunto (p < 0.005).

Conclusiones: Existen diferencias significativas en la dieta entre los grupos de riesgo de deterioro cognitivo.

Keywords: Aged; Cognición; Cognition; Diet; Dieta; Persona mayor.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cognition*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction* / epidemiology
  • Cognitive Dysfunction* / etiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet* / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Nutrients / administration & dosage