The Positive Association between Melatonin-Containing Food Consumption and Older Adult Life Satisfaction, Psychoemotional State, and Cognitive Function

• Published in: Nutrients 2024-04, Vol.16 (7), p.1064
• Main Authors: Borisenkov, Mikhail F, Dorogina, Olga I, Popov, Sergey V, Smirnov, Vasily V, Pecherkina, Anna A, Symaniuk, Elvira E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Circadian rhythm; Cognition; Cognitive ability; cognitive function; Cross-Sectional Studies; depression; Female; Food; Food and nutrition; food melatonin; Humans; life satisfaction; Male; Meals; Melatonin; Middle Aged; older adults; Older people; Personal Satisfaction; Questionnaires; Sleep; Society; Standard deviation; Young adults
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu16071064

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that melatonin-containing food (FMT) consumption is associated with a better sleep schedule and cognitive and psychoemotional state in older adults. A cross-sectional study of 557 (79% females) older adults living in the community with a mean age of 68.9 ± 7.7, ranging from 50 to 90 years, was conducted. The study, conducted in May and September 2023 using a face-to-face interview, collected personal data and assessed FMT intake during the day (FMT ) and for dinner (FMT ), life satisfaction, positive and negative affect, depression severity, cognitive functions, and sleep characteristics. Multiple regression and logistic regression analysis, adjusted for co-factors, were used to assess the association between the studied indicators. Multiple regression analysis showed that older adults with higher FMT consumption are more satisfied with life (FMT : = 0.107; ∆ = 0.011; = 0.020), have a lower level of depression (FMT : = -0.124; ∆ = 0.015; = 0.003), and higher scores in positive affect (FMT : = 0.169; ∆ = 0.016; = 0.007; FMT : = 0.136; ∆ = 0.019; = 0.003). Logistic regression analysis showed that older adults with higher FMT consumption are less likely to have depression (FMT : OR, 0.614; 95% CI, 0.436-0.864; = 0.005; FMT : OR, 0.671; 95% CI, 0.476-0.945; = 0.023), and they perform better on logical thinking tests (FMT : OR, 2.066; 95% CI, 1.131-2.204; = 0.013; FMT : OR, 1.887; 95% CI, 1.183-2.138; = 0.033). A greater life satisfaction as well as a decrease in the cognitive impairment and psychoemotional state of older adults is associated with a higher consumption of melatonin-containing foods.