A recent study published in Experimental gerontology investigated the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and age-related health outcomes in older adults in Sicily, Italy.
Global trends in population aging are believed to influence the incidence of age-related non-communicable diseases. According to the latest Global Burden of Disease report, about 55 million people are affected by dementia. In addition, depression and anxiety disorders are highly prevalent, affecting approximately 300 million and 260 million people respectively.
Evidence suggests that depression and sleep disturbances may represent a prodrome of early-onset cognitive deficits. Taken together, cognitive and psychiatric disorders are a global public health concern due to their impact on aging and the quality of life of the older population.
Several studies have shown that healthy dietary patterns with natural plant-based products, such as the Mediterranean diet, can improve mental/cognitive health among older adults. However, fewer studies have been conducted in people living in/around the Mediterranean, where adherence to the Mediterranean diet is still maintained.
About the research
The present study investigated the associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and mental/cognitive health, quality of life and ‘successful ageing’ in older people in Sicily, Italy. People aged 18 years or older in the areas of Catania were enrolled in 2014-15 to create an observational cohort for the Mediterranean Study on Healthy Eating, Aging and Lifestyle (MEAL).
Personal interviews were conducted and data on age, sex, education, occupation, smoking status and physical activity were collected. The long and short versions of the food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) were used to assess dietary intake. Energy and macro/micronutrient intakes are determined by comparison with food composition tables.
Polyphenol intake was assessed using the Phenol-Explorer database. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed and stratified into categories of low, medium and high adherence. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression Short Form (CES-D).
The Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) and the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA) were used to assess cognitive health and quality of life, respectively. The Successful Aging Index (SAI) was used to assess successful aging. The team categorized the sample into quartiles of scores for adherence to the Mediterranean diet.
Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for associations between dietary adherence and outcomes. Associations with sleep quality, quality of life, depressive symptoms, and cognitive status were assessed using multivariate logistic regression models. An age- and sex-adjusted model predicted the association between dietary adherence and SAI.
Findings
In total, 883 elderly people were included in the analysis. Most participants were married and had never smoked. Individuals with the highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet had average physical activity; furthermore, participants with the lowest adherence were more likely to skip breakfast. Individuals in the highest quartile of adherence had significantly higher intakes of carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, and E, potassium, and sodium.
They also consume more vegetables, grains and fruits, but less meat. Polyphenol intake was also higher among participants in the highest quartile of adherence. Significant differences were observed for CES-D, SPSMQ, and MANSA scores according to adherence quartiles. PSQI scores were not significantly different.
Individuals in the highest quartile (of adherence to the Mediterranean diet) were more likely to have good quality of life and less likely to have depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment after adjusting for potential confounders. What’s more, people in the third quartile also had good sleep quality.
When the dietary adherence score was considered a continuous variable, a one-point increase was associated with an 11% reduction in cognitive impairment and a 51% increase in quality of life. Participants in the highest quartile of diet adherence were more likely to age successfully. A one-point increase in adherence score was associated with 10% higher odds of successful aging.
Conclusions
The study examined the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and outcomes focused on cognitive and mental health and quality of life in older adults. Findings revealed a consistent association between higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet with better cognition, quality of life, and less depressive symptoms compared to those with less adherence.
Additionally, a significant non-linear relationship was observed for sleep quality. Together, the findings suggest that following a Mediterranean diet may provide a positive trajectory toward successful aging, with potential benefits for mental/cognitive health.
Journal reference:
- Godos J, Grosso G, Ferri R, et al. Mediterranean diet, mental health, cognitive status, quality of life and successful aging in older adults in southern Italy. Experimental gerontology2023, DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112143, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556523000645
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WHAT
Sai Lomte, Tarun. (2023 March 21). A study shows that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with successful aging. News-Medical. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230321/Study-shows-adherence-to-Mediterranean-diet-associated-with-successful-aging.aspx.
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MLA
Sai Lomte, Tarun. “Study Shows Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Linked to Successful Aging”. News-Medical. March 21, 2023 .
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Chicago
Sai Lomte, Tarun. “Study Shows Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Linked to Successful Aging”. News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230321/Study-shows-adherence-to-Mediterranean-diet-associated-with-successful-aging.aspx. (accessed 21 March 2023).
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Harvard
Sai Lomte, Tarun. 2023 A study shows that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with successful aging. News-Medical, accessed March 21, 2023, https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230321/Study-shows-adherence-to-Mediterranean-diet-associated-with-successful-aging.aspx.