Impact of legumes and plant proteins consumption on cognitive performances in the elderly

Abstract

BackgroundNumerous studies have investigated the role of the dietary factors in the prevention of cognitive decline but the short-term effects of foods choice on cognitive performances in the elderly are poorly explored. Our aim was to investigate the choice of foods among elderly Italian individuals and the association with cognitive function.MethodsIn this longitudinal study, the participants were 214 individuals aged ≥65 years with a score >20 at the Mini Mental State Examination. The cognitive sub-test of ADAScale was used to detect cognitive decline progression over 12 months. Food choices was measured by a combination of a 24-h recall and a seven-day diet record and Principal Components Analysis.ResultsThe Principal Components Analysis identified four food and four nutrient patterns. MMSE and ADAS-cog score after 1 year were found to be associated with legumes pattern (B = 0.25, p = 0.007; 95% CI 0.07/0.44; and B = −0.10, p = 0.006; CI −0.79/−0.30, respectively). A dietary pattern including plant proteins was independently associated with an improved ADAS-cog after 1 year (B = 0.584, p = 0.04; OR 1.79, CI 0.04–0.42).ConclusionsThe Principal Components Analysis is useful to investigate the choice of foods and nutrients in the elderly. We demonstrated an association between legumes pattern with cognitive performances.

Effect of the replacement of dietary vegetable oils with a low dose of extravirgin olive oil in the Mediterranean Diet on cognitive functions in the elderly

“…The participants were from a Mediterranean area (Calabria region, southern Italy) and were invited to participate in the study by newspapers advertisements. All subjects were white, community-dwelling individuals aged ≥ 65 years and had an MMSE score greater than 20 [ 12 ]. Participants were literate and were not suffering from any debilitating diseases (like stage 2–5 chronic kidney disease, end stage liver failure, cancer, congestive heart failure) as ascertained from their medical history, a physical and neurological examination and laboratory tests.…”

Dietary Patterns and Fractures Risk in the Elderly

“…We obtained food patterns by using the principal components analysis (PCA) ( 11 , 19 ). The goal of this analysis is to transform a given data set of large dimension to an alternative data set of smaller dimension.…”

“…Subjects were excluded if they presented any clinical condition affecting bone metabolism (such as kidney, liver, thyroid or parathyroids, rheumatic diseases, malabsorption syndromes, malignant tumors, or hematological diseases). No patients were taking dietary supplements, psychotropic drugs, glucocorticoids, estrogens, thyroid hormone, fluoride, or calcitonin as ascertained from their medical history, a physical examination, and laboratory tests ( 11 , 12 ). Undergoing therapy for osteoporosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes was not considered an exclusion criterion.…”

“…Dietary intake data were assessed by a 24-h recall and a 7-day food record, and calculated using nutritional software MetaDieta 3.0.1 (Metedasrl, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy) ( 11 ). Participants ate freely and self-reported their intake.…”

“…We focused on major food groups, such as consumption of fish, meat, cereals, fruits, olive oil, wine, legumes, eggs, milk, potatoes, vegetables, sugary drinks, animal fats/margarines, and cake/pies. The database used to calculate energy intake was derived primarily from INRAN (National Institute of Food Research) 2000 and IEO (European Institute of Oncology) 2008 ( 11 ). This database includes over 5,000 foods and brand name products, and is updated annually.…”