Background: Sarcopenia is an age-related, progressive, and systemic skeletal muscle disorder that can lead to numerous adverse outcomes. Animal studies have shown that sesame can enhance skeletal muscle blood flow and improve physical performance. However, no studies have yet explored the association between sesame consumption and the incidence of sarcopenia in the general population.
Objective: This study aimed to clarify the association between daily sesame consumption and risk of sarcopenia in a cohort of Chinese elderly aged 60 years and over.
Methods: This cohort study was conducted in Tianjin, China, involving 3,017 elderly participants (1,270 men). Sesame consumption frequency was assessed using a validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Sarcopenia was defined according to the consensus of the Asian Working Group (AWGS) for Sarcopenia. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the association between daily sesame consumption and the risk of sarcopenia.
Results: After adjusting for potential confounders [age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, marital status, educational level, personal history of diseases, depressive state, total energy intake, and dietary patterns], the multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) for sarcopenia among the elderly with different levels of daily sesame consumption were as follows: almost never consuming sesame (reference value), ≤1 time per week: 1.06 (0.81, 1.39), and ≥2-3 times per week: 0.62 (0.46, 0.84), respectively (P values <0.01).
Conclusion: This study indicates that daily sesame consumption in the elderly aged 60 years and over is associated with a reduced risk of sarcopenia. Further research is needed to explore the causal mechanisms underlying this association.
Keywords: China; cohort study; elderly population; sarcopenia; sesame.
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