Association between dietary vitamin B1 intake and cognitive function among older adults: a cross-sectional study

Background This study aims to investigate the relationship between vitamin B1 intake and cognitive function in older adults. Methods This cross-sectional observational study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014. A total of 2422 participants were included in the analysis, with dietary vitamin B1 intake being determined by averaging two 24-h dietary recalls. Cognitive function was assessed using three cognitive function tests: the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) for processing speed, the Animal Fluency Test (AFT) for executive function, a Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD) subtest for memory. Test-specific and global cognition z score was created. Multivariate linear regression models were used to explore the association between vitamin B1 and cognitive function. Results 2422 participants, aged 60 years and older, were included from NHANES across two survey cycles (2011–2014). Higher vitamin B1 intake was associated with higher DSST, AFT scores (P < 0.001) as well as the global cognition z score (P = 0.008). In the fully adjusted model, as compared to the lowest quartile (Q1), the highest quartile (Q4) of vitamin B1 intake was related to higher DSST score (β = 2.23, 95% CI 0.79 ~ 3.67) and global cognition z sore (β = 0.09, 95% CI 0.02 ~ 0.16). The association between dietary vitamin B1 intake and cognitive function scores in US adults is linear. There was no detected significant statistical interaction between these variables. Conclusions Increased dietary intake of vitamin B1 was associated with better cognitive function in individuals aged over 60.