Background. Psychoemotional disturbances such as stress, insomnia, and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent in older adults and are linked to oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory processes. Antioxidant nutrients, including vitamins C and E and selenium, are involved in neuroendocrine regulation and adaptive stress responses, yet their association with psychoemotional status in older populations remains unclear.
Objective. To evaluate the relationship between dietary intake of antioxidants and sleep-related and psychoemotional disturbances in older adults.
Methods. This cross-sectional study included 425 participants aged ≥60 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall and an elderly-adapted food frequency questionnaire. Psychoemotional disturbances and sleep characteristics, including early morning awakenings, were assessed by questionnaire.
Results. Median vitamin C intake was higher among participants reporting early morning awakenings compared with those without this complaint (55.10 mg [Q1-Q3: 33.25-95.05] vs 41.55 mg [17.32-71.90]; p = 0.013). ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.604, with an optimal cut-off of 37.0 mg. Mean vitamin E intake was 8.42 mg (Q1-Q3: 5.70-11.00), below recommended levels; more than 65% of participants had insufficient intake. Participants with stress, insomnia, or depressive symptoms had higher vitamin E intake (9.40 mg vs 8.20 mg; p = 0.025), with an AUC of 0.645 and cut-off of 9.10 mg. Median selenium intake was also higher in participants with psychoemotional disturbances (49.30 µg vs 35.60 µg; p = 0.022); ROC analysis yielded an AUC of 0.649 and a cut-off of 33.8 µg.
Conclusions. Statistically significant but moderate associations were identified between antioxidant nutrient intake and psychoemotional disturbances in older adults. Higher intake of vitamin E and selenium may reflect compensatory or adaptive responses to chronic stress, emphasizing the need for individualized nutritional assessment in geriatric care.