Is a plant-based diet effective to maintain a good psycho-affective status in old age? Results of a survey of a long-lived population from Sardinia

ABSTRACT

Background

Depression is common among the elderly, resulting in poor quality of life and elevated healthcare expenditure. Among other factors, dietary habits could also affect this condition, although the specific food patterns involved remain to be established. The present study aimed to assess the role of plant- versus animal-dominant foods consumption on the affective state of nonagenarians from a Sardinian population, Italy, well known for its longevity (Blue Zone).

Methods

Data, including demographic, education, anthropometric parameters, monthly income, and comorbidity were recorded and analyzed. Symptomatic depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) during a comprehensive home geriatric assessment; nutritional status was evaluated by a validated food frequency questionnaire.

Results

A total of 200 elderly subjects living in the Sardinian Blue Zone (mean age 93.9 ± 3.9 years) participated in the study; symptomatic depression was present in 51% of the whole cohort and was more common among women. Multivariable logistic regression showed a significantly greater risk of depression in people consuming plantbased foods (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.04–1.93), whereas moderate animal-derived foods consumption was associated with a better affective state (OR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.62–0.98).

Conclusions

These findings indicate that a more balanced diet, including animal-derived foods, instead of an exclusive plant-dominant diet, may be more appropriate in the elderly, and abstention from animal-based food intake should not be recommended in advanced age to prevent depression.

KEYWORDS:

• Elderly
• mental status
• depression
• plant-based diet
• animal-derived food
• protein
• Blue Zone
• Sardinia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported that no funding was received for this study.

Notes on contributors

Chiara Marche

Chiara Marche is master student of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Italy, now working in the Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Italy. Her work focuses on the relationship between diet and mental performance in isolated populations.

Michel Poulain

Michel Poulain is professor emeritus at Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium, as well as senior researcher at the Estonian Institute for Population Studies, Tallinn University, Estonia. His work focuses on international migration statistics. Additional projects focus on populations experiencing exceptionally high longevity.

Alessandra Nieddu

Alessandra Nieddu is master student of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Italy, now working in the Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Italy. Her work focuses on nutritional aspects of endocrine disorders and ageing.

Alessandra Errigo

Alessandra Errigo is PhD, working in the Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Italy. Her work focuses on molecular biology of inflammation and ageing.

Maria Pina Dore

Maria Pina Dore is associate professor, working in the Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Italy, and in the Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA. Her work focuses on clinical features and pathophysiology of gastrointestinal disorders.

Giovanni Mario Pes

Giovanni Mario Pes is associate professor, working in the Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Italy. His work focuses on lifestyle, health, and nutrition in long-lived populations. Additional projects focus on the impact of metabolic disorders on ageing.