AUTHOR=Liu Weili , Xu Yingying , Xiao Liling , Li Ke , Liu Qiang 

TITLE=Composite dietary antioxidant index is associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in females: results from NHANES 2011–2016

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1529332

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2025.1529332

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=ObjectiveThis study sought to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) in females, with the goal of informing evidence-based prevention and clinical management strategies for MetS.MethodsThe 2011–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) recruited a total of 2,790 female participants and screened 1,562 participants for estrogen non-deficiency. The diagnosis of MetS was based on criteria set by the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III. The CDAI was calculated according to the intake of 10 dietary antioxidants. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to investigate the relationship between the CDAI and MetS in females. We also performed restricted cubic splines, two-piecewise linear regression, and subgroup analysis in further analysis.ResultsOur analyses demonstrated a significant inverse association between the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence in females. Restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a linear dose–response relationship (p for linearity = 0.029), with two-piecewise linear regression analysis revealed an inflection point at 1.99. Below 1.99, each unit increase in the CDAI was associated with a 2% reduction in the risk of MetS in females; above 1.99, the risk reduction was 1%. Participants without MetS were significantly younger than those with MetS (43.49 ± 16.04 vs. 54.77 ± 15.52 years, p < 0.001). Notably, estrogen levels also were negatively correlated with the prevalence of MetS. Subgroup analysis revealed that the relationship between the CDAI and MetS remained consistent across all subgroups.ConclusionIn the female population, CDAI levels exhibited an inverse relationship with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, and estrogen levels demonstrated a negative correlation with its incidence.