Plant-Based Diets Increase Odds of Healthy Aging
MONDAY, March 24, 2025 -- Higher adherence to plant-based diets is associated with improved physical and mental health in older age, according to a study published online March 24 in Nature Medicine.
Anne-Julie Tessier, Ph.D., from Harvard University in Boston, and colleagues used data from the Nurses’ Health Study (1986 to 2016) and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986 to 2016) to examine the association of long-term adherence to eight dietary patterns and ultraprocessed food consumption with healthy aging, as measured by cognitive, physical, and mental health, and living to age 70 years without chronic diseases. The analysis included 105,015 participants.
The researchers found that after 30 years of follow-up, 9.3 percent of participants achieved healthy aging. Higher adherence to each dietary pattern was associated with greater odds of healthy aging and its domains. For higher adherence to a healthful plant-based diet and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index, odds of healthy aging were increased (highest versus lowest quintile: odds ratios, 1.45 and 1.86, respectively). When examining healthy aging at age 75 years, the Alternative Healthy Eating Index diet showed the strongest association with healthy aging (odds ratio, 2.24). Lower odds of healthy aging were seen with higher intakes of trans fats, sodium, sugary beverages, and red or processed meats.
"Our findings suggest that dietary patterns rich in plant-based foods, with moderate inclusion of healthy animal-based foods, may enhance overall healthy aging, guiding future dietary guidelines," the authors write.
One author disclosed ties to the International Nut Council.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Read this next
Cancer Survival Lower in Rural Areas
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 1, 2025 -- Five-year cancer survival rates for each stage of cancer (localized, regional, and distant) is lower in nonmetropolitan areas for Black and White...
Loss of Smell May Linger After COVID-19
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 1, 2025 -- Self-reported change or loss in smell or taste is an accurate signal of verified hyposmia after COVID-19, although there is also a high rate of hyposmia...
Elderly Patients Benefit From Screening Mammography
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 1, 2025 -- Patients with breast cancer diagnosed at 80 years of age or older who received screening mammography present with earlier-stage disease and have better...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.