2 weeks Ago
Prioritizing plants may be the key to healthy aging, according to new research. The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, examined the dietary preferences of midlife adults as they pertain to healthy aging. The results showed that maintaining a healthy diet rich in , with low to moderate intake of healthy animal-based foods and lower intake of ultra-processed foods may increase the likelihood of reaching age 70 free of major chronic disease.
This is the first study to assess how diet impacts someone’s ability to live independently and enjoy a good quality of life as they age, rather than focusing on disease development or mortality. The researchers used data from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study to examine the midlife diets of over 105,000 adults. Study participants regularly participated in dietary questionnaires from ages 39 to 69.
The study focused on eight dietary patterns that emphasized high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unsaturated fats, nuts and legumes. Some diets also incorporated low to moderate intake of high-quality animal proteins, like fish and poultry, and some dairy products. The researchers evaluated participants’ intake of A little over 9% of study participants — 9,771 to be exact — aged healthfully.
The leading healthy diet was rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes and healthy fats. It was also low in red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, sodium and refined grains. Additionally, higher intake of ultraprocessed foods, like processed meat and sugary beverages, was associated with lower likelihood of healthy aging.
Research shows that a is associated with many health benefits, like lower risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, dementia and cancer. If you struggle to embrace the plant power, here are some tips for eating more: Natalie Rizzo is a New York City-based dietitian, the founder of Greenletes and author of "Planted Performance.".
