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Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Semi-Targeted Ultra-High-Performance Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Phenolic Metabolites in Plasma of Elderly Adults
Published on: April 22, 2022
Association between composite dietary antioxidant index and pulmonary function in middle-aged and older adults:
Rui Qiang Li1,2,3,4, Yu Hui Lin1,5, Jun Tao Kan6
1School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Background:
The decline in pulmonary function among older adults is a widespread issue, lacking specific dietary guidelines for optimising respiratory health.
Methods:
Data from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (GBCS) and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analysed to assess the association of the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) with key pulmonary function indicators in individuals aged 50 and older.
Results:
The study included 8640 participants from GBCS and 4029 from NHANES, with a mean age of 62.5 years. After adjusting for confounders, higher CDAI scores were significantly linked to increased forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and FEV1 percentage predicted (FEV1pp) in GBCS (β=0.004 L, 95% CI 0.001 to 0.008; β=0.193%, 95% CI 0.045% to 0.342%). Similar trends were observed in NHANES for FEV1pp (adjusted β=0.353%, 95% CI 0.059% to 0.646%). Subgroup analyses showed that women exhibited consistent positive associations between CDAI and both FEV1pp and forced vital capacity (FVC) percentage predicted (FVCpp) in both cohorts. In GBCS, stronger associations were found for participants over 65 years.
Conclusions:
Higher CDAI scores correlate with improved pulmonary function, particularly in women and older adults, underscoring the need for dietary recommendations that emphasise antioxidant-rich foods to enhance respiratory health and support healthy ageing.