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Whole egg consumption and cognitive function among US older adults
Ruopeng An1, Danyi Li1, Jennifer McCaffrey2
1Department of Brown School, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Summary
Whole egg consumption did not show an association with cognitive functioning in older adults. This study, using national survey data, suggests no link between eating eggs and brain health in this demographic.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nutritional Science
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Eggs are nutrient-dense and affordable, potentially benefiting cognitive health.
- Cognitive decline is a significant concern in aging populations.
- Understanding dietary impacts on cognition is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between whole egg consumption and cognitive functioning in older adults.
- To analyze data from a nationally representative sample of US adults aged 60 years and older.
- To determine if egg intake correlates with performance on specific cognitive tests.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 2816 older adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014.
- Assessed cognitive function using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Word List Learning Test (CERAD-WL), Word List Recall Test (CERAD-DR), Animal Fluency Test (AF), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST).
- Employed multiple linear and logistic regressions, adjusting for covariates, to analyze the relationship between egg consumption and a composite cognitive z-score.
Main Results:
- Approximately 57% of older adults consumed whole eggs, with an average daily intake of 34g among consumers.
- Regression analyses revealed no statistically significant association between whole egg consumption (status or quantity) and cognitive test scores.
- The overall composite cognitive z-score was 0.24, with individual test scores varying.
Conclusions:
- No association was found between whole egg consumption and cognitive functioning in US older adults.
- Limitations include the cross-sectional design and potential measurement errors.
- Further longitudinal or experimental research is recommended to explore the egg-cognition link.
Keywords:
attitudes and behaviourcellular and physiological functioncognitiondietary advicedietary influenceselderlyfood choicefood intakehealth eatingMore Related Videos
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