A recent study, thirty years in the making, examined the association between long-term adherence to eight dietary patterns and the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) with healthy aging. Their findings indicate that following a plant-based, nutrient-dense diet with moderate amounts of healthy animal-based food intake, including low-fat dairy, may significantly enhance healthy aging, informing future dietary recommendations.
The study analyzed data from 105,015 individuals — 34,924 men and 70,091 women – over the course of 30 years.
Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), yielding eight dietary pattern scores: the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Alternative Mediterranean Diet (aMED), Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND), Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI), Healthful Plant-based Diet Index (hPDI), reversed Empirical Dietary Index for Hyperinsulinemia (rEDIH), and reversed Empirical Inflammatory Dietary Pattern (rEDIP), along with ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption.
Key Takeaways From This Study:
This study investigated the 30-year association between adherence to eight healthful dietary patterns, UPF consumption, and healthy aging in two large U.S. cohorts, while also analyzing differences by sex, ancestry, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and individual food components. The key takeaways from the study include:
- Those following healthier dietary patterns generally had higher socioeconomic status, more physical activity, lower BMI, and lower rates of past depression.
- Those who followed the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) had an 86% greater likelihood of being healthy at 70 and double the chance of being disease-free by 75.
- Other diets with a strong association with longevity following AHEI were DASH, MIND, hPDI, and PHDI.
- The consumption of Ultra Processed Foods (UPF) was associated with a 32% lower odds of healthy aging.
- Planetary Health Diet (PHDI), which integrates sustainability and health, showed the strongest effects on cognitive health and survival to age 70.
- Greater intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, unsaturated fats (e.g., olive oil), and healthy fats were linked to better aging outcomes.
You can read the complete study titled “Optimal Dietary Patterns for Healthy Aging” by clicking, which was published in Nature Medicine, by clicking on the link.