Flavonoid-rich fruit intake in midlife and late-life and associations with risk of dementia: the Framingham Heart Study

Authors: LYU, CHENGLIN - Boston University Medical Center; JACQUES, PAUL - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; DORAISWAMY, MURALI - Duke University School Of Medicine; YOUNG, BILL - Stanford School Of Medicine; GURNANI, ASHITA - Boston University Medical School; AU, RHODA - Boston University Medical School; HWANG, PHILLIP - Boston University

Submitted to: The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/3/2024
Publication Date: 6/21/2024
Citation: Lyu, C., Jacques, P.F., Doraiswamy, M., Young, B., Gurnani, A.S., Au, R., Hwang, P.H. 2024. Flavonoid-rich fruit intake in midlife and late-life and associations with risk of dementia: The Framingham Heart Study. The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. https://doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2024.116.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2024.116

Interpretive Summary: While there is no conclusive evidence that eating or avoiding a specific food can prevent dementia, increasing evidence suggests that diets which emphasize fruits and vegetables have the potential to reduce the risk of developing dementia. Flavonoids, naturally occurring bioactive pigments found widely in plant-based foods, have shown potential neurocognitive benefits. To further our understanding of the benefits of flavonoid-rich fruits, we examined the associations between midlife and late-life intake of flavonoid-rich fruits and risk of dementia. We observed that greater overall consumption of flavonoid-rich fruits in midlife was associated with reduced risk of developing dementia, although higher flavonoid intake in late-life, including from citrus fruits and blueberries, may also have a protective role.

Technical Abstract: We examined for associations between midlife and late-life intake of flavonoid-rich fruits and incident dementia. Participants from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort were included (n = 2,790). Consumption of fruits with high flavonoid content or are important contributors to overall flavonoid intake was collected via food frequency questionnaire. Cox models were used to examine associations between cumulative fruit intake and incident dementia, stratified by midlife (45-59 years) and late-life (60-82 years). Greater cumulative total fruit intake in midlife, but not late-life, was significantly associated with a 44% decreased risk of all-cause dementia (HR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.32 - 0.98; p = 0.044). Decreased risk of all-cause dementia was also associated with higher intake of apples or pears in midlife and late-life, as well as higher intake of raisins or grapes in midlife only, and higher intake of oranges, grapefruit, blueberries, and peaches, apricots, or plums in late-life only. Greater overall consumption of flavonoid-rich fruits in midlife was associated with reduced risk of dementia, though intake of specific fruits in midlife and late-life may have a protective role against developing dementia.