The proportion of plant-based food consumption during midlife and cognitive health in later life in Australian women: data from the Women’s Healthy Ageing Project (WHAP)

Abstract

Purpose: Plant-based food (PBF) is well-known for its benefits for physical health; however, its impacts on brain health are less well understood, especially in ageing women. This study aimed to examine the association between different proportions of midlife daily PBF intake and late-life cognitive health among ageing Australian women. Methods: This study used data of 186 women who had dietary assessment at baseline (1998, aged 52–63) and cognitive assessments at follow-up (2012, aged 66–77) from the Women’s Healthy Ageing Project (WHAP). The cohort was divided into quartiles according to the proportions of PBF in their daily diet at baseline. Late-life cognitive function was assessed by Gl..