2024-07-17 18:02:21
Finding the formula to age well is a priority for many people. Now, Harvard scientists suggest that what you eat on a daily basis affects the good physical and mental functioning of older people.
The study, presented at the beginning of July i Nutrition 2024the meeting of the American Association for Nutrition, indicate that a diet Eating nutritious foods from the age of 40 increases the chances of healthy aging in the future.
The researchers considered the concept of “healthy aging” to be living to at least 70 years of age, in good physical and cognitive condition, and not suffering from chronic diseases, such as kidney failure, diabetes and cancer.
Harvard researchers tracked data for 30 years on more than 100,000 people who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. 70,467 women and 36,464 men were assessed.
The participants, who did not suffer from chronic diseases at the start of the study, had to fill in a form about their eating habits every four years, from 1986 to 2010.
After analysis, the researchers found that half of the participants died and Only 9% managed to live to the age of 70, without presenting pathologies and in good physical and cognitive condition.
The main result was that People who had followed a diet of nutritious foods since the age of 40 were between 43% and 84% more likely to have a healthy age.compared to those who did not.
In terms of specific foods, the team found that a high consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and low-fat dairy products was associated with a greater chance of healthy ageing. A higher intake of sodium, meat and trans fat was associated with a lower chance of healthy ageing.
“This suggests that what we eat in midlife may play an important role in aging,” said Anne-Julie Tessier, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.
Although the researchers also considered other variables such as exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption, the diet maintained a close link with the aging process well. “We were surprised by the strength of the association between healthy eating patterns in midlife and healthier living in old age, even after taking into account other factors, such as physical activity, which are also known to influence health.”pointed out Tessier.
Although there are many scientific studies that have researched the relationship between diet and the prevention of chronic diseases, the Harvard researcher suggests that this study specifically focuses on the fact that a healthy diet can improve quality of life. better in old age.
Tessier also recognizes that the research has some limitations, since it is observational and is based on the information provided by the participants.
“It’s important to note that people who eat a healthy diet are more likely to exercise, live in socially advantaged neighborhoods, have access to support that others don’t have, and have better access to on health care.”he informed NBC News R. Sean Morrison, director of the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.
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