Association of fruit and vegetable consumption with mild cognitive impairment in low- and middle-income countries

Background Inadequate fruit and vegetable intake may be associated with cognitive decline but its association with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; a preclinical stage of dementia) is largely unknown. Therefore, we examined the association of fruit and vegetable consumption with MCI among middle-aged and older adults from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods Cross-sectional, nationally representative data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health were analyzed. MCI was defined using the National Institute on Aging–Alzheimer’s Association criteria. Quintiles of vegetable and fruit consumption were created based on the number of servings consumed on a typical day. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results Data on 32 715 individuals aged ≥50 years were analyzed (mean [standard deviation] age 62.1 [15.6] years; 51.7% females). Greater fruit consumption was dose-dependently associated with lower odds for MCI. For example, the highest quintile (vs lowest) had 47% lower odds for MCI (odds ratio [OR] = 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.43–0.66). For vegetable consumption, compared to the lowest quintile, the second to fourth quintiles had significant 38%–44% lower odds for MCI but there was no significant difference for the highest quintile (OR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.59–1.15). Conclusions Higher fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with lower odds for MCI among middle-aged and older adults from LMICs, but no significant differences were found between the highest and lowest quintiles of vegetable consumption. Future longitudinal studies are required to explore these findings in more depth, and mechanistic studies are required to elucidate on the observed possible U-shaped association between vegetable consumption and MCI.