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Neuroscience/Nutrition and the Brain (Poster Session)

(P25-029-24) Berry Consumption and Cognitive Performance Among US Older Adults: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2014

Monday, July 1, 2024
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM CT
Location: Poster Board 482
Disclosure(s):
Tian Qiu: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: Berries have high levels of antioxidants, which may mitigate the oxidative stress and inflammation that is linked to age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. We examined the association of berry intake with cognitive function in a nationally representative sample of US adults aged 60 years or older.

Methods: Berry intake was measured using up to two 24-hour dietary recalls, and was categorized into consumers vs. non-consumers. Cognitive function tests included the Animal Fluency Test (AF); the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Delayed Recall (CERAD-DR) and Word Learning (CERAD-WL); and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). A standardized global cognition z-score, which measures the participants’ overall cognitive status, was calculated by averaging the z-scores of each test. Multivariable linear regression models were developed, adjusting for socio-demographics, major lifestyle factors, self-reported chronic diseases, and dietary factors. All estimates of means and proportions were adjusted for the survey weights.

Results: The analysis included a total of 2,660 participants (mean age: 69.1 years; SE: 0.3 years; 53.2% women). The prevalence of berry intake was 23.5 % (95 % CI 19.3, 27.6). Compared with berry non-consumers, berry consumers had higher scores for DSST (β(different in regression coefficient consumers vs. non-consumers)= 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45, 4.22; P=0.02), and AF (β = 1.04; 95% CI: 0.12, 1.97; P=0.03) similar but nonsignificant findings were observed for CERAD-DR (β = 0.41; 95% CI: -0.03, 0.84; P=0.07) and CERAD-WL (β = 0.75; 95% CI: -0.03, 1.53; P=0.06), but not significant. The results for the global cognitive z-score was (β = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.29; P=0.01).

Conclusions: Consumption of berries had higher scores on certain major cognitive performance tests. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether berries may play a significant role in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. 

Funding Sources: There was no external or internal funding to support this study.