Search Results (685)

Background/Objectives: Police is an occupational group characterised by high and variable physical demands, shift work, and the need for sustained operational readiness. Despite the importance of maintaining good health in uniformed services, relatively little is known about dietary habits and nutritional status among police populations, particularly in Poland. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterise dietary habits and nutritional status among Polish police officers participating in the National Health Programme. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 262 Polish police officers (216 men and 46 women) aged 19–64 years. A 61-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess dietary behaviours and bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to assess body composition. Results: Suboptimal food consumption frequency patterns were observed for several food groups, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, nuts, and seeds. Female police officers reported more frequent consumption of fruits, vegetables, and grains, and less frequent consumption of processed meats, animal fats, sugar-sweetened beverages, energy drinks, beer, and spirits than male officers. Normal body weight according to BMI criteria was observed in 33% of participants, whereas only 16% of participants had normal fat mass index values. Excessive body weight was observed in 67% of participants, and excess fat in 82% of participants. Conclusions: The study provides a comprehensive characterisation of dietary habits and nutritional status among Polish police officers within the National Health Programme. These findings suggest the need for nutritional education, health promotion activities, and continued monitoring of dietary habits and nutritional status in this occupational group. Full article

Background/Objectives: College life shapes the dietary habits and food preferences of young adults by exposure to new foods and independence in dietary choices. This study described and compared self-reported food intakes and perceived dietary changes among International (34%), Multicultural (28%), and non-Hispanic White (38%) students at a Midwest United States university (n = 823; aged 18–34 years; 56% women). Importantly, the analysis extended to distinctions among multiple ethnic subcultures by nativity in the same setting. Methods: Students completed an online survey comprising a dietary fat food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), an acculturation scale, and reported intake patterns for alcohol, caffeinated beverages, four nutrient-rich food groups, and perceptions of cultural foods access and diet change. Results: International student diets had lower percentages of calories from fat (p = 0.006) and they reported less consumption of red meats and hyperpalatable foods compared to US non-Hispanic White and Multicultural students (both p < 0.001). Yet, International students showed the largest increases in intakes of these foods (p < 0.001). Alcohol consumption rose most sharply among US non-Hispanic White students. Multicultural ethnic subgroups had few significant differences. The Asian Indian, East Asian, and Middle Eastern International students showed strong differences in dietary patterns. Acculturation scales were not consistent predictors of food intake for International students. Middle Eastern and East Asian subgroups had the lowest dominant society immersion scores compared to other International students. Conclusions: These findings support the need for disaggregated data by cultural subgroups beyond the ‘international’ classification. Cultural affinity and acculturation have nuanced effects on perceived dietary shifts, underscoring the need for targeted nutrition support for all college students, especially vulnerable International students with limited cultural food access. Full article

Background: Myopia has become a major public health issue for the ocular health of children and adolescents worldwide and has been found to be associated with dietary factors, including the consumption of beverages. However, current research lacks detailed classification and longitudinal analysis of the relationship between different types of commercial non-alcoholic beverages and children’s visual function and related measurements. Methods: From 2021 to 2024, we conducted a four-year cohort study in Shanghai, China, aiming to explore the association between consumption of various commercial non-alcoholic beverages, including sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), non-sugar-sweetened beverages (NSSBs), and fruit and vegetable beverages, and the vision of children and adolescents. Participants were surveyed once a year, including the collection of beverage consumption frequency using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), as well as ophthalmological examinations covering binocular uncorrected visual acuity, refraction, and axial length (AL). A total of 5199 participants with complete data were included in the study. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were used to analyze the longitudinal associations between the frequency of consumption of various beverages and myopia as well as vision-related measurements. Results: Among the 5199 participants included in the study, 37.9% were defined as myopic at baseline, with this proportion rising to 65.6% by the end of the study in 2024. Participants with myopia typically had lower consumption frequencies of 100% and non-100% fruit and vegetable juices and higher consumption frequencies of carbonated beverages and milk tea beverages. Increased consumption of 100% and non-100% fruit and vegetable juices was associated with reduced odds of myopia, increased spherical equivalent (SE), and decreased AL in children. In contrast, increased consumption of carbonated beverages, milk tea beverages, and NSSBs was associated with higher odds of myopia, reduced SE, and increased AL in children. Conclusions: Different types of commercial non-alcoholic beverages have varying effects on the vision of children and adolescents. Consumption of carbonated beverages, milk tea beverages, and NSSBs is associated with myopia and AL growth in children, whereas drinking fruit and vegetable juice has been found to be associated with slower myopia progression. Full article

Background: International students are exposed to new food environments that may influence their dietary behaviours. While dietary diversity has been widely studied, less attention has been given to food variety, which reflects the number of individual food items consumed. This study assessed food variety, its relationship with unhealthy food consumption, and associated sociodemographic and behavioural factors among international students in Hungary. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 380 international students enrolled in Hungarian higher education institutions. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). FVS and UFCS were calculated, and associations were examined using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multivariable linear regression analyses. Results: The mean FVS was 62.7 ± 26.7. Cereals, vegetables, and milk and dairy products were consumed by all participants, whereas fish and other seafood (61.6%) and white tubers and roots (67.9%) were the least frequently consumed food groups. A very strong positive correlation was observed between FVS and UFCS (r = 0.930, p < 0.001). This association remained strong after excluding unhealthy food items from the FVS (aFVS; r = 0.862, p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, higher monthly income and employment were positively associated with FVS and UFCS, whereas scholarship status, postgraduate study, and following a special diet were negatively associated with both outcomes. Conclusions: Food variety among international students in Hungary varied considerably and was strongly associated with unhealthy food consumption, indicating that greater food variety did not necessarily correspond to healthier dietary patterns. These findings highlight the importance of considering both the diversity and nutritional quality of foods consumed when assessing dietary behaviours and designing nutrition interventions for international students. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hormonal changes during the perimenopausal period are linked to alterations in lipid metabolism and increased cardiovascular disease risk. Dairy polar lipids (PLs), including phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and sphingomyelin (SM), have attracted growing interest for their potential effects on intestinal cholesterol absorption, lipoprotein metabolism, and circulating lipid concentrations. However, evidence on habitual dietary exposure to naturally occurring dairy PLs remains limited. The aim of the present study was to estimate habitual dietary exposure to dairy PLs by integrating season-specific dairy product composition with individual dietary intake data, and to examine whether this estimated exposure was associated with post-intervention plasma lipid outcomes in perimenopausal women in Latvia. Methods: The analysis included 61 perimenopausal women, comprising an intervention group (n = 31) and a control group (n = 30), who were further stratified into winter and spring cohorts. The intervention group consumed 250 mL day⁻¹ of fermented buttermilk for 28 days. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Season-specific concentrations of total PL, PC, PE, and SM were quantified in locally produced dairy products using LC-ESI-MRM-TQ-MS/MS and integrated with individual dietary intake data to estimate dairy PL exposure. Multivariable linear regression models were adjusted for baseline lipid concentrations, intervention group, season, and total dairy PL intake. Results: Estimated total dairy PL intake was positively associated with post-intervention HDL-C concentrations in the adjusted models (β = 0.059; 95% CI: 0.020–0.099), whereas no statistically significant associations were observed for total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or triglycerides (TGs). After adjustment for baseline lipid concentrations, season, and estimated total dairy PL intake, intervention-group allocation was associated with higher post-intervention TC (β = 0.485; 95% CI: 0.023–0.948) and LDL-C (β = 0.330; 95% CI: 0.024–0.636) than in the control group. The spring-versus-winter season indicator was not independently associated with lipid outcomes. Conclusions: Estimated habitual dairy PL exposure was positively associated with post-intervention HDL-C concentrations but not with TC, LDL-C, or TGs. These findings do not support a clear lipid-lowering effect of the 28-day fermented buttermilk intervention in this secondary, exposure-based analysis. The results should be interpreted with caution, as dairy PL exposure was estimated from FFQ-derived intake data and season-specific product composition rather than measured directly. This trial was retrospectively registered in the ISRCTN registry ISRCTN11974930, registered on 25 June 2026. Full article

The intake of live microorganisms (LMOs) may contribute to modulating gut microbial ecology with an impact on health. In this study, we examined the intake of LMOs in adults and its association with gut microbiota composition, intestinal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and health-related biochemical parameters. A total of 151 adults were analyzed across three age groups (18–50, 51–65, and 66–95 years). Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and LMOs consumption was estimated with a previously developed database. The levels of some relevant intestinal microbial groups were measured using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), SCFAs were determined using gas chromatography, and biochemical markers were assessed through standardized laboratory methods. LMOs intake was significantly higher in the two older age groups compared with younger adults, with yogurt identified as the primary dietary source of LMOs across all ages. In the middle-aged group, bacterial LMOs intake independently predicted higher abundances of Akkermansia and Bacteroides-related taxa, while fungal LMOs were positively associated with butyric acid levels. In the older age group, bacterial LMOs intake was directly associated with branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) while fungal LMOs intake was directly associated with circulating cholesterol and inversely with malondialdehyde (MDA). Overall, the findings suggest that LMOs consumption, mainly bacteria intake from fermented dairy products, increases with age and is linked to age-specific changes in gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, and biochemical health parameters. Full article

Background: Data on the nutritional adequacy of unsupplemented vegetarians in Northeast China are limited. Methods: We compared dietary intake, body composition, and serum biomarkers among vegans, lacto-ovo-vegetarians, and omnivores. This cross-sectional study included 356 adults (all diet ≥ 2 years, no supplements). Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative FFQ, body composition by BIA, and serum biomarkers. Kruskal–Wallis tests with Bonferroni correction were used. Results: Vegans had lower BMI (22.0 vs. 24.6 kg/m²), body fat (24.5% vs. 28.0%), and visceral fat (0.65 vs. 1.05 L) than omnivores (all p < 0.002). Vegans consumed more fiber (38.5 vs. 18.0 g/d) and vitamin C (180 vs. 85 mg/d), but less vitamin B₁₂ (0.3 vs. 4.2 μg/d), vitamin D (0.5 vs. 3.2 μg/d), calcium (520 vs. 720 mg/d), iodine (65 vs. 130 μg/d), and selenium (45 vs. 85 μg/d). Serum vitamin B₁₂, 25-(OH)D, ferritin, and selenium were significantly lower in vegans, while homocysteine was higher. The proportion of vegans with dietary intake below the recommendation reached 100% for vitamin B₁₂ and 97% for vitamin D, whereas omnivores showed excessive sodium (75%) and SFA (70%) intake. Conclusions: In this Northeast China cohort, unsupplemented vegetarian diets offered favorable macronutrient profiles and body composition but were associated with a high prevalence of dietary intakes below recommendations for vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D, iodine, selenium, zinc, and calcium. These findings underscore the need for targeted supplementation and food fortification strategies for individuals adhering to plant-based diets without supplement use in this region. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study describes the process of harmonising data from food consumption screeners (FCSs) and food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) in pregnant women, highlighting challenges and strategies. Methods: It is a methodological, descriptive study on the harmonisation of individual food intake data. The data were divided into two datasets: FCS and FFQ. FCS responses were categorised as “never/almost never”, “1–4 days per week”, and “≥5 days per week”. FFQ data were harmonised by deriving variables in grams per day. Outliers were identified using z-scores for total harmonised caloric intake exceeding ±2 standard deviations. The distribution and heterogeneity of the derived variables were assessed using multilevel models. Results: Data were drawn from 12 studies conducted in Brazil, part of the Brazilian Maternal and Child Nutrition Consortium (BMCNC). The sample included pregnant women aged 18 years or older, at any stage of pregnancy. The final harmonised datasets comprised eight studies (n = 5484) with FCS data and four studies (n = 1759) with FFQ data. Most food categories in the FCS dataset had comparable frequencies across studies, with differences observed for natural juices, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages. In the FFQ data, the largest variations in daily consumption were found for leafy vegetables, sweetened beverages, and soft drinks. Heterogeneity ranged from less than 0.01% for beans (FCS) to 15.5% for fruits and natural juices (FFQ). Conclusions: By enabling standardised analyses across diverse Brazilian populations, the harmonised BMCNC datasets provide a valuable resource for investigating nutritional inequities and supporting future research to improve maternal and child nutrition. Full article

Background: Pregnancy is a vital period during which maternal nutrition profoundly influences both maternal health and fetal development. Carotenoids, predominantly found in fruits and vegetables, are bioactive compounds that enhance antioxidant defenses and facilitate vitamin A metabolism throughout pregnancy. However, assessing carotenoids intake presents challenges due to the lack of dietary assessment tools capable of quantifying individual carotenoids, coupled with limited data from populations in Eastern Europe. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 621 pregnant women in Romania was conducted to estimate dietary carotenoids intake and investigate associations with dietary patterns and overall diet quality. Dietary data were obtained using the EPIC Food Frequency Questionnaire (EPIC-FFQ), adapted for Romanian populations. A dedicated carotenoid estimation model was developed utilizing the USDA Carotenoid Database. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to identify dietary patterns, and diet quality was evaluated using the Diet Quality Index during Pregnancy (DQI-P). Results: The findings revealed significant individual variability. The median intake was highest for β-carotene (2464 μg), and lycopene (1664 μg), followed by lutein and zeaxanthin (908 μg), α-carotene (615 μg), and β-cryptoxanthin (121 μg). The Vegetable-meal pattern exhibited the strongest positive correlation with carotenoids intake, whereas the Energy-dense pattern was primarily associated with vitamin E and tocopherols/tocotrienols, and the Mixed pattern with vitamins A and D. Higher DQI-P scores were consistently correlated with increased carotenoids consumption. Conclusions: Overall, maternal carotenoids intake during pregnancy was frequently insufficient and showed considerable variation among women. A diet rich in vegetables and higher overall diet quality were associated with elevated carotenoids intake levels. These findings enhance the understanding of dietary carotenoids intake among pregnant women in Eastern Europe. Full article

Background and Objectives: The role of diet in the risk and clinical course of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) is an area of ongoing research, in which prospective evidence regarding the degree of food processing is limited. We prospectively assess the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) and minimally or unprocessed food (MUPF) consumption and incident psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and vitiligo, as well as a composite exploratory IMID outcome, in a Spanish cohort. Methods: We followed 15,874 IMID-free participants from the SUN Project (median follow-up: 15.1 years). Baseline diet was assessed via a validated FFQ and categorized by NOVA classification. Multivariable Cox models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) across consumption tertiles (% g/day). Results: During follow-up, 298 self-reported diagnosed incident IMID cases occurred (1.31/1000 person-years, mostly psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis). After adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors, the highest UPF consumption was associated with an increased risk of self-reported diagnosed psoriasis (T3 vs. T1: HR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.08–2.45) and rheumatoid arthritis (T3 vs. T1: HR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.19–3.26; p-trend = 0.006), whereas no significant association was observed for vitiligo. Similar trends were observed for the exploratory composite IMID endpoint (T3 vs. T1: HR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.31–2.45). Conversely, higher MUPF intake was associated with a lower risk of self-reported diagnosed psoriasis (T3 vs. T1: HR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.40–0.92; p-trend = 0.014) and exploratory composite IMID endpoints (T3 vs. T1: HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.47–0.87; p-trend = 0.003). Conclusions: Higher UPF consumption is associated with an increased risk of self-reported diagnosed psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, whereas MUPF intake appears to be inversely associated with self-reported diagnosed psoriasis risk. These findings contribute to the ongoing evidence regarding the degree of food processing as a potential factor in the epidemiological profile of specific autoimmune conditions. However, given the observational design of the study, these findings reflect longitudinal associations and do not imply causation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dietary assessment tools are essential for quantifying food and nutrient intake, characterising dietary patterns, and informing nutrition research. Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs) and Food Records (FRs) are widely implemented in observational studies, but completion rates vary, which may compromise data quality, introduce bias, and limit the interpretation of findings. This review is intended to synthesise evidence from observational studies on completion rates of these tools in populations with chronic conditions. Methods: A systematic search of Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was completed. Eligible studies were observational studies using an FFQ or FR published from January 2015 to May 2025 in people with a chronic condition. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Hoy Risk of Bias tool for observational studies of prevalence. Subgroup meta-analyses estimated pooled mean completion proportions with 95% confidence intervals, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. This study was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews and reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Results: Of the 8921 records screened, 88 studies (n = 84,579 participants) met inclusion criteria. The combined FFQ and food record mean pooled completion rate was 79.1% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 74.37–83.43%). However, substantial heterogeneity was observed, indicating considerable variability across studies. Subgroup analyses highlighted important differences by tool type, format, age group, and disease category. FFQs demonstrated higher completion rates (80.6%) than FRs (74.3%). Electronic formats had higher completion rates than paper formats. Completion rates were higher in adults than in pediatric cohorts, and varied by chronic condition type, with kidney disease associated with the highest completion rates. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of considering tailored dietary data collection strategies, particularly for paediatric and medically complex populations, and provide direction for enhancing the feasibility of dietary assessment collection in future research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nutritional intake plays an important role in modulating lead absorption and toxicity. In addition to micronutrient status, emerging evidence suggests that body fat distribution may influence heavy metal toxicokinetics, yet this aspect remains poorly explored in occupational settings. This study aimed to investigate the associations of dietary intake of zinc, calcium, vitamin D, and protein, as well as anthropometric indicators, with blood lead levels (BLLs) among lead-exposed male workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 144 male workers from five areas with varying degrees of environmental lead contamination in Java, Indonesia. Nutrient intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQ-FFQ). Anthropometric measurements included body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). BLLs were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of elevated BLLs. Results: The median BLL was 6.8 µg/dL (Q1–Q3: 4.75–13.08), and 32% of participants had BLLs above 10 µg/dL. BLLs differed significantly across exposure areas (p < 0.001). In bivariate analysis, WHtR, protein intake, zinc intake, and vitamin D intake were significantly associated with BLLs. Workers with higher WHtR had a greater proportion of elevated BLLs (p = 0.023), whereas BMI was not associated. In multivariate analysis, low zinc intake (p = 0.031) and low vitamin D intake (p = 0.021) remained significant predictors of high blood lead levels. Conclusions: Environmental exposure remains the main determinant of BLLs, while low intake of zinc and vitamin D increases the risk of high blood lead levels. Central adiposity, reflected by WHtR, may represent a potential anthropometric marker of lead burden, suggesting a potential role of body fat distribution in lead toxicokinetics that warrants further investigation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cognitive flexibility and working memory are regulated by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which is closely linked to the progression of cognitive decline. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for the Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet shows potential to lower cognitive decline risk in older adults. This study aimed to examine the association between Malaysian-MIND diet (MY-MINDD©) scores with brain activation among Malaysian older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among forty older adults aged 60–75 years. Subjects were stratified into quartiles of MY-MINDD© scores with ten subjects per quartile. Dietary intake was evaluated utilising a validated 124-item semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Brain activation was measured using task-based fMRI (N-back and Stroop Colour Word Test). DLPFC activation was analysed in Brodmann’s areas 9, 46, and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). ANCOVA and multiple linear regression were used to evaluate brain activation differences across MY-MINDD© quartiles, accommodating for gender, age, education, and body mass index (BMI). Results: Subjects in the highest MY-MINDD© quartile had significantly greater DLPFC activation during 0-back, 1-back, and SCWT incongruent tasks (p < 0.05). Higher MY-MINDD© adherence is linked to better task performance (p < 0.001). Multivariate General Linear Model (GLM) revealed a significant overall effect on brain activation (Pillai’s Trace = 0.544, F(8,27) = 4.11, p = 0.003). Multiple linear regression demonstrated significant positive associations between MY-MINDD© scores and DLPFC activation (p < 0.0125). Conclusions: Higher adherence to the MY-MINDD© diet was associated with greater brain activation, suggesting its relevance as a proxy for identifying risk of cognitive decline. Full article

Background/Objective: Rapid, validated dietary screening tools are lacking for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), where routine clinical check-ups do not allow sufficient time for extensive dietary assessments typically required to evaluate adherence to dietary recommendations. We developed a 15-item dietary screener (SCI NutriTool) and evaluated its accuracy in classifying non-adherence to a healthy food pyramid compared with a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Methods: The SCI NutriTool was developed through literature review and expert consensus. In a validation study, 51 adults with SCI (mean age 57.0 years; 76.5% men; 68.8% traumatic injury) completed the SCI NutriTool twice and a validated 97-item FFQ, which served as the reference method. Results: The SCI NutriTool demonstrated substantial variability in performance across food groups, reflecting its domain-specific screening properties. Sensitivity was high for fruits and vegetables (91.7%), protein-rich foods (90.5%), and sweetened/alcoholic beverages and snacks (82.4%), with relatively high positive predictive values (PPV: 73.7–90.5%), supporting the tool’s ability to identify individuals who are likely non-adherent and may benefit from further nutritional assessment or counselling. In contrast, for starchy foods and nuts, oils, and fatty spreads/sauces, sensitivity was low (20.0% and 50.0%), while specificity was modest. This indicates that the tool performs better in correctly identifying adherent individuals in these domains, which is reflected in higher negative predictive values (NPV: up to 94.1%). However, the low sensitivity suggests that individuals with non-adherence may be missed, limiting the tool’s usefulness as an early screening trigger for these food groups. Conclusions: The SCI NutriTool’s performance varies across food groups, demonstrating a stronger ability to identify non-adherence in protein-rich foods, fruit and vegetables, sweetened and alcoholic beverages, and snacks, but limited discriminatory capacity for others. In particular, it is not suitable for screening non-adherence to starchy foods and fats. Accordingly, it is best used as a triage tool to guide further dietary assessment and targeted nutritional interventions rather than as a standalone diagnostic instrument. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nuts have been associated with various health benefits, yet the evidence regarding their relationship with dementia is inconclusive. This study aims to examine the association between nut consumption and long-term risk of dementia across three prospective cohort studies. Methods: We analyzed data from adults aged 45 and older who were free of dementia at baseline in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, 2013–2020), the Framingham Offspring Study (FOS, 1998–2018), and the Whitehall II Study (WHII, 2002–2016). Nut consumption, including tree nuts and peanuts, was assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) once at baseline in the HRS and repeatedly across multiple waves in the FOS and WHII. Incident all-cause dementia was identified through a validated algorithm in the HRS, expert panel reviews in the FOS, and healthcare record linkages in the WHII. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the cohort-specific association between nut consumption and incident dementia, which were subsequently pooled. Results: Over 190,914 person-years of follow-up, 992 incident dementia cases occurred among 17,349 participants across the three cohorts. After multivariable adjustments, higher nut consumption was associated with a lower risk of dementia, with pooled hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69–0.94; I² = 0.0%) for 0.1–5.0 g/day vs. 0 g/day and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.58–0.99; I² = 40.4%) for >5.0 g/day vs. 0 g/day (p-trend = 0.015). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that higher nut consumption was associated with a lower risk of incident dementia among middle-aged and older adults, with evidence of a dose-response trend observed in pooled analyses. These preliminary results support its inclusion as part of an overall brain-healthy dietary pattern. Full article