Associations of overall and specific carbohydrate intake with anxiety status evolution in the prospective NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort

We investigated the association between carbohydrate intake and anxiety evolution within the general-population NutriNet-Santé cohort (N = 15,602; 73.8% female; mean age = 53.8y; mean follow-up = 5.4y). Carbohydrate intake was estimated at baseline from ≥ 2 24-h dietary records. Trait anxiety (STAI-T) was measured once at baseline (2013–2016) and once at follow-up (2020), resulting in 4 groups: “None” = absence of high anxiety (STAI-T > 40 points) at any time point; “Transient” = high anxiety only at baseline; “Onset at follow-up” = high anxiety only at follow-up; “Persistent” = high anxiety at baseline and follow-up. Polytomous logistic regression models revealed that sweetened beverage intake was associated with higher odds of “Transient” anxiety (OR(Q4vsQ1) = 1.11; 95% CI 1.02–1.21). Intake of complex carbohydrates (OR(Q4vsQ1) = 1.12; 1.01–1.25) was associated with higher odds of anxiety “Onset at follow-up.” The % energy from carbohydrates (OR(Q4vsQ1) = 1.11; 1.03–1.19), intakes of total carbohydrates (OR(Q4vsQ1) = 1.10; 1.03–1.18) and complex carbohydrates (OR(Q4vsQ1) = 1.09; 1.02–1.17) were associated with higher odds of “Persistent” anxiety, whereas 100% fruit juice intake showed lower odds of “Persistent” anxiety (OR(Q4vsQ1) = 0.87; 0.81–0.94). This prospective study found significant associations between dietary carbohydrate intake and anxiety status evolution among French adults. The findings could help inform dietary interventions aimed at anxiety prevention and management.