Adequate fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with protection against Cognitive Impairment No Dementia (CIND): findings from the ELSI cross-sectional population study

Abstract

Background: Dementia is a growing global public health concern and identifying modifi- able risk and protective factors is crucial for its prevention. Fruits and vegetables, due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may offer neuroprotective benefits. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of adequate fruit and vegetable consumption and its association with dementia and cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) in individuals aged 50 years and older. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study analysed data from 2865 participants in the second wave (2019–2021) of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSI-Brazil). CIND was defined as a global cognitive Z-score ≤ −1.5, and dementia as cognitive decline with impairment in at least one instrumental activity of daily living. Adequate consumption of fruits, vegetables, and both combined (FV) was defined as daily intake on all seven days of the week. Associations were assessed using multivariate Poisson regression models, with prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The study sample consisted of 2865 participants. The prevalence of adequate fruit consumption was 58.08% (95% CI: 56.3–59.9), vegetables 44.14% (95% CI: 42.31–45.9), and FV 32.18% (95% CI: 30.5–33.9). Adequate vegetable consumption was significantly associated with CIND (PR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.07–0.50; p < 0.001), while adequate fruit con- sumption was associated with higher prevalence of CIND (PR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.22–1.77) and FV (PR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.07–1.58; p = 0.003). No significant association was observed between fruit, vegetable, and FV consumption and dementia. Conclusions: Adequate vegetable and combined FV consumption were protective against CIND, though not associated with dementia. Nonetheless, overall adequate intake remains low in older Brazilian adults.