Abstract
Research is limited regarding the nutritional impact on xerostomia in the elderly. In a quasi-clinical trial, water intake with food, food intake, and body mass index were assessed during the 7 days before and after the intervention of providing a sorbet before lunch and dinner for 8 weeks. We observed differences in subjective and objective xerostomia evaluation, water amount needed while eating (mean difference = -26.28 +/- 21.21; 95% confidence interval, -31.34 to -21.23; P = .016), and food intake (P = .033) before and after the intervention. A statistically significant change was observed among seniors with a body mass index less than 25 (mean difference = 0.42 +/- 0.57; 95% CI, 0.21-0.63; P < .001), indicating that xerostomia management may improve food intake and body mass index.