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

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 day ) and for dinner (FMT dinner ), 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 dinner : β = 0.107; ∆ R 2 = 0.011; p = 0.020), have a lower level of depression (FMT day : β = -0.124; ∆ R 2 = 0.015; p = 0.003), and higher scores in positive affect (FMT day : β = 0.169; ∆ R 2 = 0.016; p = 0.007; FMT dinner : β = 0.136; ∆ R 2 = 0.019; p = 0.003). Logistic regression analysis showed that older adults with higher FMT consumption are less likely to have depression (FMT day : OR, 0.614; 95% CI, 0.436-0.864; p = 0.005; FMT dinner : OR, 0.671; 95% CI, 0.476-0.945; p = 0.023), and they perform better on logical thinking tests (FMT day : OR, 2.066; 95% CI, 1.131-2.204; p = 0.013; FMT dinner : OR, 1.887; 95% CI, 1.183-2.138; p = 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.