Why Your Midlife Diet Matters More Than You Think
Harvard researchers published a paper in the journal “Nature Medicine” in March, which revealed that adopting a plant-based diet can boost a person’s health and increase their chances of living a longer life, even if they did not start the healthy diet until their middle age, as reported by CNBC.
The study found that there was an association between eating plant-based and healthy ageing, according to the report.ALSO READ: Putin avenges Operation Spiderweb embarrassment — Ukrainian spy chief assassinated in broad daylight
What Does “Healthy Ageing” Mean in the Study?
In the Harvard study, healthy agers were defined as participants who were aged 70 years or above, were free of chronic conditions like heart disease, and had excellent cognitive, mental, and physical health, as reported by CNBC.
What’s the Best Diet According to Harvard’s Study?
The researchers conducted their study on 105,000 participants between the ages of 39 years and 69 years over the span of 30 years to find out how their diets in midlife impacted their overall wellness, according to the report.
ALSO READ: Apple to buy Perplexity, valued at $14 billion? Dan Ives says iPhone maker can’t build its own AI
In the study, the participants were assigned a score based on how well they followed eight eating patterns that the researchers had shared, as per the report.
After conducting the experiment, the new study found that the Alternative Healthy Eating Index, which was developed by Harvard researchers, is the diet that was most associated with the highest positive health outcomes, as reported by CNBC.
Harvard Health Publishing wrote that, “People whose AHEI score fell in the highest quintile had an 86% greater chance of healthy aging at age 70 and a 2.2 times greater chance of healthy aging at age 75 compared to those whose AHEI score fell in the lowest quintile,” as quoted by CNBC in its report.
ALSO READ: Inside the $10 million handbag: Why Jane Birkin’s Hermès purse made auction history
What Are the 7 Foods That Support Healthy Ageing?
Here is the list of food to be consumed and avoided under the Alternative Healthy Eating Index, as compiled by CNBC.
The study recommends having more of these 7 types of foods:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Legumes
- Nuts
- Unsaturated fats
- Low-fat dairy products (moderately)
What Foods to Cut Back on or Skip for Better Ageing?
The research found that reducing consumption or refraining from eating these foods was beneficial:
- Sugary beverages
- Red meats
- Trans fats
- Sodium
- Processed meats
The Big Takeaway From Harvard Researchers
The study said, “Our findings suggest that dietary patterns rich in plant-based foods, with moderate inclusion of healthy animal-based foods, may enhance overall healthy ageing, guiding future dietary guidelines,” as quoted by CNBC in its report.
FAQs
What are the top benefits of eating plant-based in midlife?
Better heart health, lower risk of chronic illness, and improved mental sharpness later in life, as per the Harvard study.
Can diet help me live longer?
A healthier diet like AHEI can increase your chances of a longer, more independent life.
