Associations of overall and specific carbohydrate intake with anxiety status evolution in the prospective
Junko Kose1, Pauline Duquenne1, Margaux Robert1
1Nutritional Epidemiology Research Group (EREN), Sorbonne Paris Nord University, INSERM U1153, INRAE U1125, CNAM, Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center, University of Paris (CRESS), 74 Rue Marcel Cachin, 93017, Bobigny, France.
Abstract:
We investigated the association between carbohydrate intake and anxiety evolution within the general-population NutriNet-Santé cohort (N = 15,602; 73.8% female; mean age = 53.8y; mean follow-up = 5.4y). Carbohydrate intake was estimated at baseline from ≥ 2 24-h dietary records. Trait anxiety (STAI-T) was measured once at baseline (2013-2016) and once at follow-up (2020), resulting in 4 groups: "None" = absence of high anxiety (STAI-T > 40 points) at any time point; "Transient" = high anxiety only at baseline; "Onset at follow-up" = high anxiety only at follow-up; "Persistent" = high anxiety at baseline and follow-up. Polytomous logistic regression models revealed that sweetened beverage intake was associated with higher odds of "Transient" anxiety (ORQ4vsQ1 = 1.11; 95% CI 1.02-1.21). Intake of complex carbohydrates (ORQ4vsQ1 = 1.12; 1.01-1.25) was associated with higher odds of anxiety "Onset at follow-up." The % energy from carbohydrates (ORQ4vsQ1 = 1.11; 1.03-1.19), intakes of total carbohydrates (ORQ4vsQ1 = 1.10; 1.03-1.18) and complex carbohydrates (ORQ4vsQ1 = 1.09; 1.02-1.17) were associated with higher odds of "Persistent" anxiety, whereas 100% fruit juice intake showed lower odds of "Persistent" anxiety (ORQ4vsQ1 = 0.87; 0.81-0.94). This prospective study found significant associations between dietary carbohydrate intake and anxiety status evolution among French adults. The findings could help inform dietary interventions aimed at anxiety prevention and management.
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