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UK Biobank investigators included 207,043 adults without dementia who completed at least one 24-hour dietary questionnaire and followed them for a median 10.49 years. They examined energy-adjusted niacin-equivalent density, cognitive test performance and incident dementia.

There were 2,403 dementia cases, including 1,046 Alzheimer’s and 439 vascular dementia cases. Higher niacin-equivalent density related non-linearly to better performance across several cognitive domains. Compared with moderate intake, low density was associated with higher all-cause dementia risk (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13–1.41), Alzheimer’s risk (HR 1.22, 1.03–1.44) and vascular dementia risk (HR 1.32, 1.30–1.69).

This observational analysis cannot establish that niacin itself caused the differences or that supplements prevent dementia. The authors report a nonlinear pattern and call for further confirmation. Funding came from China’s National Natural Science Foundation and a national science and technology project; authors declared no competing interests.

The study reported associations between dietary niacin-equivalent density and cognitive outcomes and incident dementia. Niacin is involved in cellular energy metabolism, but this analysis tracks dietary patterns and later outcomes rather than testing a supplement or controlled food intervention.

Limits and disclosures

Observational estimates can reflect other dietary, socioeconomic or health differences and do not prove that niacin itself caused the outcomes. The study was supported by China’s National Natural Science Foundation and a national science and technology project; participants provided consent under UK ethics approval.

This sourced news summary and translation were prepared with AI assistance. Source links, the news date and research limitations are disclosed; this is not a claim of independent medical expert review. News production method.

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