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Consumption of dairy products and cognitive functioning: Findings from the SU.VI.MAX 2 study

  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objectives

Research concerning the link between dairy product intake and cognition is scant while experimental studies suggest links through various biological mechanisms. This study’s objective was to examine the cross-time associations of total and specific dairy product consumption with cognitive performance in aging adults. We also explored compliance with dairy intake recommendations in France.

Design

The study was based on the «Supplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxydants» randomized trial (SU.VI.MAX, 1994-2002) and the SU.VI.MAX 2 observational follow-up study (2007-2009).

Setting

A general-population cohort in France.

Participants

N=3,076 participants included in both the SU.VI.MAX and SU.VI.MAX 2 studies.

Measurements

Dairy product consumption was estimated using repeated 24h records (1994-1996; mean=10 records, SD=3). Cognitive performance was assessed by neuropsychologists after an average of 13 years post-baseline via a battery of six validated tests. Mean age at the time of the cognitive function evaluation was 65.5 (SD=4.6) years. Principal component analysis revealed factors for verbal memory and working memory. Associations of energy-adjusted dairy product consumption and compliance with the respective dietary guidelines with subsequent cognitive impairment were examined using ANCOVA, providing mean differences (95% confidence intervals, CI) according to tertiles (T), adjusted for confounders including overall dietary patterns.

Results

Total dairy product consumption was not associated with cognitive function. However, milk intake was negatively associated with verbal memory performance: mean difference T3 versus T1= -0.99 (-1.83, -0.15). Among women, consuming more than the recommended amount of dairy was negatively associated with working memory performance: excess versus adequate = -1.52 (-2.93, -0.11).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that dairy products consumption and especially compliance with dietary guidelines regarding dairy product intake are differentially associated with performance in specific cognitive domains after a comprehensive adjustment for lifestyle factors, health status markers and dietary patterns. Further longitudinal research is needed given the limited data available.

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Abbreviations

AD:

Alzheimer’s disease

BMI:

body mass index

CVD:

cardiovascular diseases

PCA:

Principal component analysis

SU.VI.MAX:

SUpplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux AntioXydants

T:

tertile

TMT:

Trail Making test

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre d’Epidémiologie et Statistiques Sorbonne Paris Cité, Inserm (U1153), Inra (U1125), Cnam, COMUE Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris 13, Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Nutritionnelle (EREN), F-93017, Bobigny, France

    Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot, K. E. Assmann, V. A. Andreeva, M. Ferry, S. Hercberg & P. Galan

  2. EREN, SMBH Paris 13, 74 rue Marcel Cachin, 93017, Bobigny cedex, France

    Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot

Authors
  1. Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot
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  2. K. E. Assmann
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  3. V. A. Andreeva
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  4. M. Ferry
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  5. S. Hercberg
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  6. P. Galan
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The SU.VI.MAX 2 Research Group

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Correspondence to Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot.

Additional information

A full list of the SU.VI.MAX 2 research group members is available as an on-line supplement.

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Kesse-Guyot, E., Assmann, K.E., Andreeva, V.A. et al. Consumption of dairy products and cognitive functioning: Findings from the SU.VI.MAX 2 study. J Nutr Health Aging 20, 128–137 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0593-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0593-x

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