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Nut consumption and depression: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses in two cohorts of older adults
Fernández-Rodríguez et al. (2023) sought to investigate the associations between nut intake and depression in two cohorts of older persons, both longitudinally and cross-sectionally. A representative sample of Spanish individuals 65 years of age and older made up the first cohort, known as Seniors-ENRICA-I or SE-I, which was interviewed in 2010 and 2013. People 65 and older who lived in the Madrid area of Spain and were questioned between 2017 and 2019 made up the second cohort (SE-II). Nut consumption was measured using a validated computer-based dietary history tool. Self-reported medical diagnoses of depression or antidepressant usage were used to define depression. The SE-I cohort had 2,278 participants (233 cases of prevalent depression) in the cross-sectional analysis and 1,534 participants (108 new cases of depression) in the longitudinal analysis. The SE-II cohort included 2,726 participants (407 cases of prevalent depression) and 1,566 participants (74 new cases of depression). In the meta-analysis of cross-sectional results, compared to those consuming fewer than one serving (30g) of nuts per week, participants consuming 1 to less than 3 servings per week showed a non substantial reduction in the odds of experiencing depression. However, consuming 3 or more servings per week leads to a significant reduction in the odds of experiencing depression. These results were also reflected in longitudinal analysis. Based on a pooled longitudinal study of two cohorts of older persons, the authors conclude that nut intake was linked to a lower incidence of depression. Elderly people should be encouraged to eat nuts as part of a balanced diet. [NPID: Depression, mental health, Mediterranean diet, nuts, older adults]
Year: 2023
