Abstract
BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is linked to cognitive decline in the elderly. Diet, as a key energy source, affects brain function and serves as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the relationship between the Oxidative Balance Score (OBS), which reflects diet and lifestyle impact on oxidative stress, and cognitive function in older adults. METHODS: This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011-2014, including 2716 participants aged 60 and older. Cognitive outcomes measured were the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) Word Learning test, Animal Fluency test, and Digit Symbol Substitution test. Linear regression models were used to assess the relationship between the OBS and cognitive performance, with stratification and sensitivity analyses conducted to explore these associations further. RESULTS: Among 2716 participants, higher dietary OBS scores were linked to better cognitive test performance after adjusting for confounders. For example, the highest OBS quartile had a 4.35-point increase in CERAD immediate recall compared to the lowest quartile (OR: 4.35, 95% CI: 2.14-8.84, p = 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed this positive association across age groups and genders, though it was stronger among non-Hispanic white participants compared to other racial groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a positive correlation between OBS and cognitive function in older adults, suggesting that an antioxidant-rich diet and lifestyle may help prevent cognitive decline in this population. However, since this study is cross-sectional, further prospective research is needed to confirm these results.