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Updated: Oct 25, 2025
14:39
Semi-Targeted Ultra-High-Performance Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Phenolic Metabolites in Plasma of Elderly Adults
Published on: April 22, 2022
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Estimated Phytate Intake Is Associated with Improved Cognitive Function in the Elderly, NHANES 2013-2014
Doreen Y Larvie1, Seth M Armah1
1Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA.
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 6, 2021
Summary
Dietary phytate intake, an antioxidant, is linked to better cognitive function in older adults. Including phytate-rich foods may help preserve brain health and mitigate age-related cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- Phytate, a potent antioxidant, may protect against age-related neuronal dysfunction by inhibiting harmful free radical formation.
- Dietary strategies targeting oxidative stress are crucial for maintaining cognitive health in the elderly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between dietary phytate intake and cognitive function in an elderly population.
- To explore phytate's potential role in mitigating age-related cognitive decline.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 and the Food Patterns Equivalents Database (FPED).
- Estimated individual phytate intake by merging food group phytate content with FPED data.
- Employed principal component analysis for a composite cognitive score and regression analysis to assess the phytate-cognition relationship, adjusting for confounders.
Main Results:
- Median phytate intake was 0.65 g/day, with lower intake observed in females, non-Hispanic blacks, and individuals with chronic diseases.
- Phytate intake demonstrated a significant positive association with cognitive function (β = 1.90, p = 0.015) after adjusting for confounding factors.
Conclusions:
- Dietary phytate intake is positively associated with improved cognitive function in the elderly.
- Incorporating phytate-rich foods into the diet may be a beneficial strategy for supporting cognitive health in aging populations.
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